Caitlin Clark Breaks WNBA Rookie 3-Point Record with Step-Back Three in Fever’s Victory

Caitlin Clark added another milestone to her stellar rookie season by breaking the WNBA’s rookie 3-point record on Wednesday night in Indianapolis, told Bleacher Report. The Indiana Fever star hit a pivotal 3-pointer early in the game against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, officially surpassing the previous record held by Rhyne Howard. Clark has now made 86 shots from beyond the arc this season, surpassing the 85 that Howard achieved during her rookie year in 2022.

Just three minutes into the first quarter, Clark made history with a step-back three-pointer over Sun guard DiJonai Carrington. This impressive shot not only set the new rookie record but also demonstrated Clark’s ability to perform under pressure.

The Indiana Fever highlighted the moment on social media, sharing a clip of the historic shot with the caption, “the stepback three from Caitlin Clark to break the @WNBA rookie record 😤.”

Clark finished the game with 19 points, including three 3-pointers, while shooting 7-for-17 overall. The Fever found themselves in a tight contest, but Clark’s late-game heroics helped secure an 82-80 lead with a crucial layup in the final minutes. Indiana went on to win the game 84-80, further solidifying their playoff push.

Earlier in the week, Clark had tied the rookie 3-point record in the Fever’s 84-79 win over the Atlanta Dream. In that game, she sank a step-back three-pointer in the fourth quarter, coincidentally over Howard, to match her record.

Clark’s remarkable season has been filled with accomplishments. She entered Wednesday’s game averaging 18 points and a league-high 8.2 assists per game. With an average of 2.8 made 3-pointers per game, Clark is currently tied for the fourth-best in the league. She also became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 500 points and 200 assists earlier this month, setting another rookie record.

Clark’s success in the WNBA follows a historic college career at Iowa, where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer across both men’s and women’s basketball and led the Hawkeyes to consecutive national championship games. Her ability to transition her college success to the professional level has made her one of the most exciting players in the league.

The Fever’s victory over the Sun improved their record to 14-16, marking the first time since 2016 that the team has won 14 games in a single season. With five wins in their last seven games, the Fever are firmly in the playoff race, currently sitting seventh in the league standings.