Caitlin Clark: First WNBA triple-double a product of 'good team basketball'

During her career at Iowa, Caitlin Clark became known for her ability to get a triple-double on any given night. She did so 17 times and flirted with the feat a few times through the early part of her WNBA career.

Saturday, she finally did it. Clark became the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double, and it helped her Indiana Fever to a come-from-behind victory over the No. 1-seeded New York Liberty. She finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists as Indiana got the 83-78 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

After the game, Clark remained the team player she’s been since she was in college. She didn’t take the credit for her historic day. Instead, she deflected it toward her teammates, who were on the receiving end of those 13 assists.

“I feel like we’re playing good team basketball,” Clark told CBS’ Tiffany Blackmon. “My teammates are finishing really well around the rim and I want to find them. It would’ve been nice if I could’ve made a couple more threes. They gave me some really good looks. But just happy for our group. A great win, great for our fans. That’s just fun basketball.”

It’s yet another impressive achievement for Clark, the No. 1 overall pick who’s going to her first WNBA All-Star Game later this month. She entered Saturday’s game averaging 16.0 points, 7.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game through the first 21 contests of the season, and it’s a big reason why Indiana could find is flirting with an early playoff spot.

At the end of her interview, Clark received the game ball from a staffer. When asked what she was going to do with it, she answered in typical fashion.

“I’ll give it to my parents and tell them to put it in storage,” she joked. “I don’t know. Maybe see it later in life.”

Caitlin Clark: Fever ‘never fell apart’ vs. Liberty

The Fever faced a tall task against the Liberty on Saturday. Led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, they looked the part of the WNBA’s top team through the first three matchups against the Fever. Indiana struck first on Saturday, but New York found its stride to take a commanding lead into the fourth quarter.

That’s when Clark said Indiana needed to settle in, and the Fever did just that. Down the stretch, they made some big plays to get their ninth win of the season – and those three losses to New York added fuel to the fire.

“To be honest, they destroyed us all three prior matchups,” Clark said. “I think it adds a little chip on your shoulder. We didn’t feel like we really gave them a good game. But this was a big one. I’m happy for our crowd.

“I thought we were really resilient. I think we were down six with three minutes to play and made two big plays to tie the game up, and then held them to three points in the last three minutes. Pretty good basketball for us.”

Clark said the Fever knew what they were up against with the Liberty, who possess plenty of playmakers on offense. That’s why they had to weather the storm when New York made a charge, and Clark said Indiana did just that.

“Never fell apart,” Clark said. “We were up, what, 14 in the first quarter, second quarter? They were going to go on their run, they made their runs. But we always just stayed together and we found a way to respond and take the lead back.”