Caitlin Clark fell just one rebound shy of making WNBA history last week, but she recorded the first-ever triple-double by a rookie in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win over Liberty.
After Kayla Thornton missed a shot, Clark grabbed her 10th rebound and, at that point, had 11 assists and 16 points and earned a standing ovation from the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Clark had 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in the 83-78 upset win over Liberty.
Caitlin Clark grabs a rebound in front of Leonie Fiebic (left) during the first half of the Fever’s 83-78 upset win over the Liberty. AP
“Obviously, it’s been really great,” Clark said after the game. “My teammates are finishing the ball at a really high rate. I’ve got to give them a lot of credit for the assists. It’s about whether they’re in a position to be successful or not.” [Aliyah Boston]Whether it is [NaLyssa Smith].”
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, opened the game with 11 points in the first quarter, helping the Fever hold the lead for much of the first half.
Three of her assists also came during the opening frame.
Caitlin Clark passes to defender Breanna Stewart during Liberty’s loss. AP
“She found her rhythm tonight,” Fever head coach Christy Sides said, “Their timing is getting better every game, so we weren’t ready for some of the shots and passes she made early on. Now we have the chemistry, we have the timing, and it’s only going to continue to get better.”
“But she just wants to win. She just wants to win. And for me, I mean, she’ll be my Rookie of the Year every day. Every single day.”
Clark was two assists away from a triple-double in the fifth game of the season against the Sparks on May 24.
On June 19, she needed four more assists as Indiana beat the Mystics.
He had an impressive game last week against the Mercury, scoring 15 points and 12 assists, while also grabbing a rebound.
But on Saturday, Clark gathered everything he needed.
Clark already has a long list of records to her name, including in the WNBA, dating back to her time at the University of Iowa.
And now, one more has been added to that list.
