Caitlin Clark Breaks WNBA Record with 19 Assists, Wows Fans amid Fever Loss vs. Wings
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJuly 18, 2024
Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Wings bested Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever 101-93 on Wednesday night at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
Clark finished with 24 points and a WNBA-record 19 assists along with six rebounds.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportCAITLIN CLARK BREAKS WNBA ASSIST RECORD IN A SINGLE GAME
19 ASSISTS 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RFpd7gDawd
The Fever clawed back from an early 16-point deficit and led the Wings by as many as six in the fourth quarter. Indiana couldn’t maintain its advantage, though. A Kelsey Mitchell three-pointer tied the score at 93-all with 2:22 left before Natasha Howard sank a pair of free throws and Arike Ogunbowale nailed a circus shot as the 24-second clock expired.
Dallas Wings @DallasWingsYEEHAWWWWWW 🤠 pic.twitter.com/fB9oZSWbgx
That was enough breathing room for Dallas to see through the win.
Ogunbowale and Odyssey Sims scored 24 points apiece. Natasha Howard filled up the box score with 17 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Aliyah Boston had a game-high 28 points and hauled down eight rebounds, while NaLyssa Smith joined Clark in the double-double club (13 points, 12 rebounds)
Clark hit a few other historic benchmarks with her monster numbers. She now owns the Fever’s single-season assist record. According to WBB Timeline, she’s also the fastest player to 400 points and 200 assists at 26 games, smashing the previous record set by Sue Bird (33 games).
Her performance was littered with some impressive highlights.
Indiana Fever @IndianaFeverCaitlin Clark shows off the handles 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/hSh8F9Cbq9
WNBA @WNBATurn us up CAITLIN CLARK 🔈
Clark lets out a yell after makin’ the and-1 on the fast break! pic.twitter.com/hpOiOwvXxl
WNBA @WNBAIf this play don’t make you fired up then we don’t know what will 🧨
Caitlin Clark gets her 10th dime of the game off this sweet behind the back pass to NaLyssa Smith
📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/zVl501pP24
Fans understandably lauded the No. 1 overall pick despite Indiana coming out on the losing end:
🅿️hillip @Lil_Flipper_999Caitlin Clark very well might be one of if not the best passer in the WNBA. Her playmaking on different timing
Matt Dowell @MattDowellTVThe Caitlin Clark-Aliyah Boston duo is COOKIN’ tonight
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynoldsEveryone who has scored more than 20 points and had at least 15 assists in a WNBA game:
— Caitlin Clark, tonight.
End of list.
Pat Boylan Fever/Pacers @PatBoylanPacersCaitlin Clark has set the WNBA record with 19 assists in a game. A stunning performance.
RewindBen @RewindBenCaitlin Clark’s basketball IQ is like a million
Ryan Ruocco @RyanRuoccoCaitlin’s passing and shooting is remarkable as we know….but perhaps the elite thing she brings that isn’t highlighted enough is her PACE. Clark’s Pace is incredible and consistent all game.
Scott Agness @ScottAgnessWith 24 points and 19 assists, Caitlin Clark has a new WNBA record for single-game assists.
This is her 26th game. She’s just two months into her pro career. pic.twitter.com/8ByKv12naY
Lyndsey D’Arcangelo 🏀 @darcangel21Caitlin Clark setting the single game record in assists (19) as a rookie over the likes of Courtney Vandersloot, Ticha Penicheiro and Alyssa Thomas is some kind of sorcery
incredible
whitney medworth @its_whitneycaitlin clark was playing college basketball 3 months ago and she just broke the wnba single game assist record
Chris Wozniak @wlohatyCaitlin Clark: good at basketball? pic.twitter.com/1iv0yzVOag
The Fever won’t be in action again until Aug. 16 against the Phoenix Mercury thanks to the 2024 Summer Olympics.
On one hand, the Olympic break couldn’t come at a worse time because it halts the momentum Indiana is building with three wins in its last five games. On the other hand, Clark will benefit from getting nearly a month off to kick back and rest.
There was plenty of hand-wringing resulting from the Fever’s 1-8 start. Now, they could be poised for a strong finish to the regular season when the league resumes.
