Caitlin Clark Shatters WNBA Assist Record

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Welcome to another edition of The Hoops Insider, where we bring you the latest and greatest updates from the world of hoops. Today we cover how Caitlin Clark shattered the WNBA Assist Record, let’s hop right into it!

Caitlin Clark's Assist Spectacle

In a dazzling display of playmaking prowess, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark etched her name in the WNBA record books last night. Despite a 101-93 loss to the Dallas Wings, Clark's performance was nothing short of historic, showcasing why she was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft.

Key Highlights

1. Record-Breaking Assists: Clark dished out an unprecedented 19 assists, surpassing the previous record of 18 held by Courtney Vandersloot. This feat is even more impressive considering Clark's previous WNBA high was 13 assists.

2. Scoring Threat: Clark wasn't just passing - she also contributed 24 points on efficient 10-for-19 shooting, demonstrating her dual-threat capability.

3. Historic Impact: Clark scored or assisted on 66 points, the most in WNBA history, eclipsing Diana Taurasi's 65-point effort from 2006. This accounts for an astounding 71% of the Fever's total points.

4. Rookie Milestones: This marks Clark's third game with 20+ points and 10+ assists, a feat only achieved once before by a rookie (Angel McCoughtry in 2009). She's also just the second rookie in WNBA history to score or assist on 50+ points in multiple games, joining Candace Parker (2008).

5. Season Totals: Clark now has 213 assists this season, approaching Ticha Penicheiro's rookie record of 225. She's also the first rookie and ninth player overall in WNBA history with at least 400 points and 200 assists in a season.

Teammate Reactions and Clark's Perspective

Aliyah Boston, who benefited from Clark's generosity with a career-high 28 points, praised her teammate's accomplishment. "She's going to say it means nothing, but I think it's pretty cool," Boston remarked.

Clark, true to form, remained focused on team improvement: "I just try to set my teammates up for success," she said, adding, "Offensively, we were able to get whatever we wanted all night it felt like. It was just our defense."

Fever coach Christie Sides marveled at Clark's vision, stating, "Nineteen assists is incredible. That's incredible."

Following this performance, Clark's odds for WNBA Rookie of the Year improved from -1000 to -2000 at ESPN BET, further solidifying her frontrunner status.

Looking Ahead

As the WNBA enters its Olympic break, Clark, Boston, and teammate Kelsey Mitchell head to Phoenix for the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, where they'll represent Team WNBA against the U.S. Olympic team.

The Fever (11-15) currently sit seventh in the league standings. With the top eight teams making the postseason, every game will be crucial as they aim to secure their first playoff berth since 2016.

Clark's record-breaking night cements her status as a transformative talent in the WNBA. Her ability to elevate her teammates' play while maintaining her scoring touch makes her a unique force in the league. As the season progresses, basketball fans eagerly anticipate what other records this phenomenal rookie might challenge or break.

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