It didn’t take long for Caitlin Clark to make history in the WNBA, but it only took her three games. Clark became the fourth player in WNBA history to record at least 50 points and 15 assists in the first three games of his career.
In doing so, she joined the legendary company and now stands in history alongside Candice Parker, Sue Bird, and Nikki McCray.
McCray was a three-time All-Star with the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Bird was a 13-time All-Star and four-time WNBA Champion while with the Seattle Storm. And Parker was a seven-time All-Star, winning two MVP awards and three championships between the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Las Vegas Aces. So it’s safe to say that Clark is on a great path to start his career.
Through three games without a win against the Fever, Clark has had his ups and downs, but he looks like a potential star. She had 20 points and three assists in her first game against the Connecticut Sun. She carried on that performance with just nine points and six assists against the New York Liberty. But she seemed to put it all together in Saturday’s third game, again against Liberty. She had 22 points and eight assists.
While Clark himself has looked strong, the Indiana Fever is struggling as a team. They haven’t won yet, but there will always be growing pains for this team. Indiana selected Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, making him the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row. There’s a reason for that, and no matter how good Clark is, he can’t change a team’s situation overnight.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 18: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever takes a shot while guarded by Ivana Dozic #18 of the New York Liberty during the second half. NEW YORK, NY – MAY 18: Indiana Fever’s #22 Caitlin Clark defends as New York Liberty’s #18 Ivana Dožić defends during the second half on May 18, 2024 at Barclays Center in New York City. Take a shot. Clark has already made WNBA history in just three games. Photo credit: Elsa/Getty Images
But Fever has to feel encouraged by her performance so far this season. She’s getting better with every game and getting more of a WNBA feel every time she steps on the floor. Indiana coach Christie Sides said veteran Erica Wheeler is trying to help ease Clark’s transition into the league.
”[She’s] “I just want to show her what this league is all about and help her be as successful as possible for us and the team,” Sides said, according to the team’s official X account.
”[She’s] I just want to show her what this league is all about and help her be as successful as possible for us and our team. ”
Head coach Christy Sides talks about how veteran Erica Wheeler helped rookie Caitlin Clark transition. @WNBA. pic.twitter.com/95o7ySYgcA
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 18, 2024
If Clark can maintain his strong performance, he will become the player everyone envisions him to be. It may take some time for her to fully conquer the league, but she is off to a great start in her professional journey.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, finding common ground and finding connections.
