Caitlin Clark set a new franchise record in the Indiana Fever’s home win over the Phoenix Mercury, as she also became the first rookie in WNBA history to record 400 points, 150 assists and 100 rebounds.
The 22-year-old guard had 20 points and 13 assists, nine of which came in the first quarter alone, to break the Fever’s record for most assists (seven) in a single quarter on Friday night in Indianapolis.
Shooting guard Kelsey Mitchell and center Aliyah Boston also contributed to the team’s 96-85 victory with 28 and 21 points, respectively.
Indiana’s win over Phoenix may come as a surprise to many, considering the Mercury have three players headed to the 2024 Paris Olympics: guards Diana Taurasi and Kahleah Copper, along with center Brittney Griner.
Clark was handed an Olympic lifeline on Thursday when it was revealed that Taurasi, 40, is struggling to recover from a leg injury in time for the Games, leaving the door open for the No. 1 overall draft pick to receive a surprising late call-up to the Team USA women’s basketball roster.
Caitlin Clark dished out nine assists to break the Indiana Fever record for most assists in a single quarter (7) in a 96-85 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night.
The Fever outscored the visiting Mercury in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s game after leading by 20 points at halftime.
Mitchell’s mid-range jumper and Smith’s three-point play extended the lead to 65-40 with 7:12 remaining in the third quarter.
Mitchell’s mid-range jumper and forward NaLyssa Smith’s three-point play extended the lead to 65-40 with 7:12 remaining in the third quarter.
Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham’s 3-pointer cut Phoenix’s deficit to 22, but the Fever went on an 11-3 run, capped by Boston’s shot with 3:01 left in the third quarter. Mitchell hit a 3-pointer to give Indiana an 81-50 lead, but Phoenix finished the third quarter on an 8-0 run.
Clark now ranks second on the WNBA’s all-time assists chart, behind Alyssa Thomas.
The Mercury continued their run in the fourth quarter, scoring the first nine points to cut their deficit to 81-67 on Cunningham’s deep 3-pointer with 7:27 remaining.
Another Cunningham 3-pointer cut Indiana’s lead to 85-74 at the 5:31 mark, before Mercury guard Kahleah Copper’s jumper cut the deficit to single digits for the first time since midway through the second quarter.
Copper, who scored 36 points on 11-of-25 shooting, hit two free throws and a reverse layup to get within 85-81 with 3:12 remaining, before Smith’s much-needed hook shot gave Indiana a six-point lead.
Boston hit a jumper with two minutes left and Mitchell hit a 3-pointer with 1:33 left to give the score some breathing room at 92-83.