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Caitlin Clark Makes WNBA Rookie History Again as Indiana Fever Beats Connecticut Sun



CNN

Caitlin Clark made WNBA history once again by setting a record for most three-pointers made by a rookie in a season in the Indiana Fever’s 84-80 win over the Connecticut Sun.

Clark made her 86th triple of the season in the first quarter, eclipsing the previous record of 85 set by Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream in 2022. She added two more from deep later in the game to bring her season total to 88.

The 22-year-old scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and had five assists as the Fever snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Sun — Indiana had lost all three games against the Sun this season and hadn’t beaten Connecticut since July 3, 2021, according to the WNBA.

“We’re like night and day different,” Clark said of the team’s progress after the game. “And that’s what you’re going to see with a young group. Obviously, we’re young. We’ve got some older guys, but a lot of people on our roster are younger, so just understanding each other and learning, I think, has gone a long way.”

All five Indiana starters scored in double figures, with Kelsey Mitchell once again leading the team with 23 points. She has been in fine form, averaging 25.6 points per game since the league resumed after the Paris Olympic break.

Mitchell spoke about the benefits of playing with someone like Clark during his post-game on-court interview.

“I think the most interesting thing about this is that our chemistry continues to improve,” she said.
“I like what Caitlin brings to the table because not only does she have the pace and the space, but she can also shoot from the ground and you just have to be ready when your number is called with someone like that.”

The game was tight throughout, with neither team able to capitalize on their lead. The Sun threatened to spoil the party late in the game, but two crucial free throws from Lexie Hull – who scored 17 points in her second game as a starter of the season – sealed the game and gave the Fever the win.

Caitlin Clark Makes WNBA Rookie History Again as Indiana Fever Beats Connecticut Sun

Indiana improves to 15-16 with the win and continues its run toward the playoffs, while Connecticut falls to 22-8. The Suns were led by DiJonai Carrington with 19 points and six steals, while Alyssa Thomas added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.

According to the WNBA, official attendance inside Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse was 17,274, with the Fever setting a WNBA attendance record with more than 500,000 fans total at home and away games during the season.

Among the fans in the arena were some big names in the sport. Team USA Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Gabby Thomas met with the players after the game.

“EVERYONE WATCHES WOMEN’S SPORTS,” Biles posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “So happy I could come out and support the team! My first WNBA game.”

“First WNBA game of many!” Thomas said. “I had a blast supporting these stars.”

After making WNBA history by grabbing 20-plus rebounds in three straight games, Angel Reese’s streak ended in a 74-70 loss to the Washington Mystics.

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 28: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky drives to the basket for a layup against Aaliyah Edwards #24 of the Washington Mystics during the first half of a WNBA game on August 28, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Reese still had 14 rebounds — his 24th straight game with double-digit rebounds — along with seven points and two assists. The seventh overall pick set multiple rebounding and double-double records during an impressive rookie campaign.

Stefanie Dolson led the way with 17 points for a Mystics team that has struggled throughout the season, helping the team improve to 9-22.

Sky, led by 15 points from Michaela Onyenwere, fell to 11-19.

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