ARLINGTON, Texas — Indiana rookie Caitlin Clark broke the WNBA record for assists in a game Wednesday night, finishing with 19 in the Fever’s 101-93 loss to the Dallas Wings.
The previous record was 18 by Courtney Vandersloot for Chicago on Aug. 31, 2020. Vandersloot also had 18 in a playoff game on Sept. 28, 2021.
And the league’s previous record for assists by a rookie was 16, set by Ticha Penicheiro for Sacramento on July 29, 1998.
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The record-breaker for Clark came on a play where she set Kelsey Mitchell up for a 3-pointer with 2:22 remaining. That tied it at 93, but Dallas closed with an 8-0 run.
Clark entered the game as the WNBA’s assists-per-game leader this season. She added 24 points on 10-for-19 shooting.
Clark, Reese headline WNBA all-star roster for game vs. U.S. Olympic team
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Angel Reese had a big night after the WNBA returned from its Olympic Break on Thursday, but the Chicago Sky rookie was in no mood to talk about her accomplishments.
The Sky suffered a 85-65 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday, the league’s first game since going on a break following the All-Star weekend. But despite the blowout loss, Reese walked away with another record-breaking performance.
Natasha Cloud, #0 of the Phoenix Mercury, posts up against Angel Reese, #5 of the Chicago Sky, during the first half of a WNBA game on August 15, 2024, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
She recorded eight offensive rebounds to set a franchise record for the most in a single season with 120 in the final stretch of her rookie campaign.
Naturally, Reese was asked about breaking the previous record set by Sylvia Fowles in her post-game presser, but the former LSU star shut the reporter down before she could get her question out.
“I know you care a lot more about results than records, but you set another record today – you set the . . . ” the reporter began.
Angel Reese, #5 of the Chicago Sky, lines up for a free throw during the second half of a WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury on August 15, 2024, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I don’t wanna hear about no record,” she interrupted, shaking her head.
Reese posted 11 points and 15 rebounds in the loss to the Mercury, while Brittney Griner came back from her gold medal run in Paris and dropped 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and five blocks.
Griner became the first player in franchise history to record at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a game.
Brittney Griner, #42 of the Phoenix Mercury, boxed out Angel Reese, #5 of the Chicago Sky, during the second half of a WNBA game on August 15, 2024, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Reese’s frustrations come as the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever currently hold the final two spots in the WNBA’s eight-team playoff bracket.
The Fever, who return to action on Friday, have 14 games left. The Sky have 15 remaining after Thursday’s loss.
