On Wednesday night, Caitlin Clark, the remarkable WNBA rookie, once again showcased her extraordinary skills by breaking the WNBA single-game record for assists. Clark achieved a career-high of 19 assists during the Indiana Fever’s 101-93 loss to the Dallas Wings. This exceptional performance not only set a new WNBA record but also solidified Clark’s place in basketball history.
“Caitlin Clark is in a category of her own 👏 With 19 assists in tonight’s game, Clark has set a new record for most AST in a single game in WNBA history,” tweeted the WNBA, celebrating Clark’s milestone. The previous record of 18 assists was held by Courtney Vandersloot, who set it in 2020 while playing for the Chicago Sky against the Indiana Fever.
In addition to breaking the overall WNBA single-game assist record, Clark set a new single-game rookie assist record, surpassing Tina Penicheiro’s 16 assists from 1998. Clark’s outstanding play also saw her break the Fever’s single-season franchise assist record with 202 assists in just 26 games. The current WNBA single-season record, held by Alyssa Thomas, stands at 316 assists, set last season.
The Indiana Fever congratulated Clark on Twitter: “Add it to the list of broken records 🤩 Congratulations to Caitlin Clark for breaking the franchise record for most assists in a single season in only 26 games 😮💨”
Clark’s latest achievement came as she continued to surpass her own boundaries, recording career highs multiple times this season. Notably, she achieved her first triple-double as a rookie during the Fever’s significant win over the New York Liberty on July 6, marking another milestone in her stellar career.
The Fever-Wings matchup provided an exciting spectacle ahead of the All-Star and Olympic breaks. Despite Dallas taking an early lead, Indiana managed to narrow the gap, trailing by just eight points at halftime. The third quarter saw the Fever tightening the game further, leading to a fiercely contested fourth quarter. The teams exchanged leads and remained tied for much of the final frame. Ultimately, Dallas clinched the victory, thanks to star guard Arike Ogunbowale’s heroics.
Ogunbowale and Odyssey Sims led the Wings with 24 points each. For the Fever, Clark and Aliyah Boston scored 24 and 28 points, respectively, with Boston setting a new career high. Clark’s historic performance bolstered her campaign for Rookie of the Year, as she currently leads the league in assists per game with 7.8 and has become an indispensable part of the Fever’s starting lineup.
With this win, Dallas improves to a 6-19 record but remains at the bottom of the WNBA standings. The Fever, now 11-15, are positioned solidly in the middle.
As the WNBA heads into the All-Star break, fans can look forward to the All-Star Game between Team USA and Team WNBA on Saturday. Clark, Boston, and Ogunbowale are all set to play for Team WNBA, showcasing their talents before the league pauses for the 2024 Olympics.