Caitlin Clark Breaks WNBA Single-Season Assists Record for Fever

In a thrilling encounter on Friday night, rookie sensation Caitlin Clark etched her name into WNBA history by breaking the league’s single-season assist record during the Indiana Fever’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, which ended in a 78-74 defeat for the Fever.

Clark achieved this historic milestone when she recorded her 317th assist with just under five minutes left in the second quarter. Kelsey Mitchell converted the pass into a basket, allowing Clark to surpass Alyssa Thomas’s previous record of 316 assists set last season. By the game’s end, Clark tallied 321 assists for the season.

This notable accomplishment came just two days after A’ja Wilson, a leading MVP candidate, set a record for most points scored in a season. Wilson contributed 15 points in the Aces’ victory on Friday, bringing her total to 971, which puts her just 29 points shy of becoming the first player to reach the 1,000-point mark in a single season.

Caitlin Clark isn’t the only rookie making waves this summer; Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese also set a record for most rebounds in a season with an impressive total of 446. Reese’s average of 13.1 rebounds per game and Wilson’s scoring average of 27.0 are both on course to establish new league records. Meanwhile, Clark leads all players with an average of 8.4 assists per game, although Courtney Vandersloot’s 2020 record of 10.0 assists per game seems likely to remain unbroken.

“This season has been historic, and it really reflects how the competition and the overall quality of basketball have improved,” Clark commented. “Fans have shown tremendous support, which is a testament to the exciting level of play we are seeing. It’s been an honor to be part of this competitive environment and to witness everyone raising their game.”

Although Clark celebrated her record-breaking assist, her first half was less than ideal as she struggled to score and was held scoreless with five missed attempts. Additionally, she incurred her sixth technical foul after expressing frustration following a defensive foul. A seventh technical would result in a suspension for one game.

However, Clark rebounded significantly in the second half, scoring 18 points. Mitchell led the Fever with a total of 20 points, including 19 in the first half.

For the Aces, Wilson not only contributed offensively, finishing with 15 points, but she also dominated the boards with 17 rebounds, marking an impressive 11th game this season where she achieved a double-double. Chelsea Gray also stepped up, adding 21 points to the Aces’ score, marking her second game this season with 20 or more points.

“I feel like I’m back to my usual form since the Olympic break,” Gray stated. “It’s crucial for us to be at our best as we head into September and October. I believe that hard work pays off, and I’m glad to see it reflected in my performance tonight.”

Despite the Aces having a 13-point lead at one stage, the Fever battled to close the gap, narrowing it down to two points with less than two minutes remaining. A late three-pointer from Kelsey Plum provided the Aces with a comfortable buffer in the final seconds of the game.

Reflecting on the loss, Fever players and head coach Christie Sides expressed concern over their performance at the free-throw line, where they connected on only 11 of 20 attempts. They also noted inconsistent stretches during the first quarter and early in the third, which hindered their ability to compete against the defending champions.

The Aces remains the only team the Fever have failed to defeat this season, but Friday’s match marked a significant improvement over their previous encounters. The Fever’s back-to-back losses are their first since late June.

“Earlier in the season, we weren’t playing at our best against Vegas,” Sides noted. “We need to maintain our confidence and work on minimizing our mistakes to compete effectively. Tonight felt like playoff basketball, and we learned the importance of staying alert and ready to capitalize on our opportunities.”

Meanwhile, the Aces have been regaining momentum with six victories in their last seven games, with their only loss coming against the top-ranked Liberty during Wilson’s ankle injury recovery period.

“Our focus is solely on the upcoming game,” Plum mentioned as the team prepares to face the Connecticut Sun, a formidable opponent in the league. “We have a challenging schedule ahead, so we’re taking it one game at a time as we gear up for the playoffs.”