INDIANAPOLIS — Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 points, Caitlin Clark added 23 points and nine assists, and Lexie Hull scored 12 of her career-high 22 points in the fourth quarter Sunday to help the Indiana Fever beat the Seattle Storm 92-75.
With 232 assists so far this season, Clark broke the previous WNBA rookie record of 224 by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft has scored at least 20 points in five of her last six games. She is averaging 23.7 points on 47% shooting from the field, and 11.7 assists over that span.
Mitchell hit 10 of 19 from the field and 5 of 8 from 3-point range, while Hull was 8-of-10 shooting and hit a career-best six 3s on seven attempts. Aliyah Boston grabbed 15 rebounds to go with nine points and a career-high eight assists for Indiana.
Jewell Loyd hit a jumper that cut the Storm’s deficit to 61-60 with 9 minutes to play. Indiana’s Damiris Dantas made a free throw about a minute later, Hull hit a pair of 3-pointers 35 seconds apart, and Mitchell added another from behind the arc before Boston hit a short jumper to cap a 14-5 spurt that made it 75-65 with 5:51 to go.
Skylar Diggins-Smith answered with consecutive buckets in the lane to make it a six-point game just 28 seconds later but Hull again hit back-to-back 3s — this time in a 31-second span — to spark a 15-2 run. Clark followed with another 3-pointer and then assisted on 3s by Mitchell and Dantas, the latter of which gave the Fever a 90-71 lead with 2:24 remaining.
Loyd led Seattle (17-10) with 26 points, Diggins-Smith scored 15 and Nneka Ogwumike added 14 points, nine rebounds and four steals. The trio combined to make just 20 of 54 from the field as the Storm shot just 38.9% (28 of 72) overall.
Indiana (13-15), which has matched its win total from the 2023 campaign with 12 games remaining in the regular season, has won back-to-back games coming out of the monthlong break for the Paris Olympics. The Fever have won four of five overall and 10-5 after winning just three of 11 games to open the season.
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Caitlin Clark, the highly-touted rookie point guard for the Indiana Fever, made history on Tuesday night as she set a new WNBA rookie assists record in her team’s 92-75 victory over the Seattle Storm. The 21-year-old standout dished out a remarkable 15 assists in the game, surpassing the previous record of 14 assists held by Courtney Vandersloot.
Clark’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as she showcased her exceptional court vision, passing skills, and basketball IQ throughout the game. Her ability to find her teammates in scoring positions and create opportunities for them was a key factor in the Fever’s dominant win over the defending champions.
In addition to her record-breaking assist total, Clark also contributed 18 points and 6 rebounds in the game, further solidifying her status as one of the top young talents in the WNBA. Her all-around performance earned her high praise from teammates, coaches, and fans alike, with many hailing her as a future star in the league.
Clark’s success in her rookie season comes as no surprise to those who have followed her career closely. The former Iowa Hawkeye standout was a highly decorated college player, earning numerous accolades and awards for her outstanding play on the court. Her transition to the professional ranks has been seamless, as she has quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the WNBA.
As Clark continues to impress with her stellar play, she is poised to make a significant impact on the league for years to come. Her record-setting performance against the Storm is just the latest example of her immense talent and potential, and fans can expect to see many more standout performances from her in the future.
In conclusion, Caitlin Clark’s historic night in the Fever’s victory over the Storm serves as a testament to her skill, determination, and ability to excel at the highest level of women’s basketball. With her record-breaking performance, she has solidified her place among the league’s elite players and has set the stage for what promises to be a bright future in the WNBA.
