Caitlin Clark makes more WNBA history, sets single-season assists record
Once again, Caitlin Clark has made WNBA history. The Indiana Fever star found Kelsey Mitchell on a third-quarter assist against the Las Vegas Aces – which set the league’s new single-season record.
It was Clark’s 317th assist of the year, which moved her past Alyssa Thomas on the all-time list. She already had the rookie record for assists, and she now has more than any other player has in a year.
The Fever headed into halftime trailing the Aces 43-35 as the regular season starts to wind down. Clark didn’t score a point in the first half, but led the way with six assists to go with a rebound through two quarters.
Clark started out somewhat slow after going No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft, but quickly found her stride. She not only set the rookie assist record last month, but also set a new scoring mark for a rookie in league history. As if that wasn’t enough, Clark became the first rookie to ever record a triple-double – and she did so again on Sept. 4.
Her playmaking ability is a big reason why Indiana is in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Fever secured a postseason berth on Sept. 3 when the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream both lost, and they’re still vying for the No. 6 seed with three games to go.
But Caitlin Clark knows how much a playoff appearance means for not only the Indiana franchise, but also the fans. Most of all, she understands how Mitchell felt to make it amid her seventh WNBA season.
“I’m just really happy for this organization,” Clark said. “Obviously, longest drought in WNBA history of not making it to the playoffs. Happy – I mean, look at these fans. They’re incredible. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know if we’d be here.
“And I’m just really happy for Kelsey Mitchell, too. She’s been with this organization for seven years. Really, they’ve honestly struggled, and she’s had probably the best year of her career. Has played really, really good basketball. So I’m just really happy for her. She deserves this just about more [than] anybody. I’m happy for her.”
The Fever will have two games left after Friday’s matchup against Las Vegas. Their home finale is set for Sunday against the Dallas Wings.