Caitlin Clark made history for the Indiana Fever as she set a franchise rookie record for assists in a single season during their 88-82 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, led by Diana Taurasi, on Sunday in Arizona.
In the game, Clark nearly achieved a triple-double with 15 points and 12 assists, marking the Fever’s first win against a team with a winning record.
This milestone came after Clark made WNBA history by reaching 300 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 career assists in just 19 games, becoming the fastest player to do so in the league’s history.
Prior to the game, Clark expressed her excitement about facing Taurasi, whom she idolized growing up, calling it a “dream come true.”
Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion, acknowledged Clark before the game:
Both fans and players were eager to witness the matchup between the rising star and the seasoned MVP.
In the game, Taurasi scored 19 points on 5-of-14 shooting, while Clark contributed 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting, including two highlight-reel three-pointers.
The Fever secured the win with a 17-point run in the third quarter, fueled by Clark’s five assists. Kesley Mitchell and Clark’s late free throws further sealed the victory.
Despite battling a migraine throughout the game, Clark’s resilience and performance were instrumental in the Fever’s triumph, with Aliyah Boston leading the team with 17 points and Mitchell adding 16 points.
Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 24 points in the defeat. The Fever’s record improves to 8-12, and they will face the Las Vegas Aces, led by A’ja Wilson, in their next challenging matchup on Tuesday.
