Four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird is doubling down on her vote for Rookie of the Year.
During the latest episode of her podcast “A Touch More” with Megan Rapinoe, Bird said she had attended Friday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky – a game that she said many had gone into looking at it as a defining moment in the Clark vs. Angel Reese for ROY.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives on Los Angeles Sparks guard Kia Nurse (10) in the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
But for Bird, her decision was made long before the Fever routed the Sky in the 100-81 win.
“This is a game that I think everyone was looking forward to because a lot of people felt like there was Rookie of the Year implications on this game,” Bird said on the podcast.
“I personally, ever since All-Star break, have felt that Cailtin was the Rookie of the Year. She has since just continued to prove that.”
Bird had high praise for the entire Fever team that clinched their first playoff berth since 2016.
Sue Bird, #10 of the Seattle Storm, reacts after losing to the Las Vegas Aces 97-92 in her final game of her career during Game Four of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Climate Pledge Arena on September 6, 2022, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“She balled out,” Bird said of Clark, who had a career-high 31 points and 12 assists. “You can’t talk about the Indiana Fever right now without Kelsey Mitchell, who is on an incredible streak. Just like a hot streak, shooting the absolute you-know-what out of the ball.”
Clark continued to make her case for Rookie of the Year on Wednesday night.
She became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her second career triple-double in the Fever’s 93-86 win over the Los Angeles Sparks.
Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, reacts in the game against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 16, 2024. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Clark also became the first rookie and fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles in a season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Chennedy Carter Accuses Caitlin Clark Of Violent Move Before Cheap Shot.
Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Clark continued the well-known physicality Caitlin Clark has been receiving in the WNBA during their game against the Indiana Fever on Jun 1, 2024. But Carter took it one step further.
Clark was leveled to the floor by Carter late in the third quarter. Carter received only a personal foul for the hit during the game. However, the WNBA later upgraded it to a flagrant foul.
The Fever wound up winning the game by one point, but the story of the day was this cheap shot.
On Monday, Carter spoke to the media alongside Angel Reese and accused Clark of a violent move before the dirty foul.
“I think I got hit in the head the play before. It was just like one of those things that was in the heat of the moment. I don’t know Caitlin, I don’t know her from anywhere. But at the end of the day, this is hoops, it’s competitive, this is basketball. And you’re playing against somebody like me. I classify myself as a dog.” (Via WGN News)
The play Carter was referencing was posted online by a fan.
“So if you’re gonna throw a punch, I’m gonna compete with you. I’m gonna play at the level you’re giving,” Carter added.
Sky’s 19-point loss to Fever extends losing streak to five
As the Fever continue to jell, the Sky are crumbling.
Once on similar trajectories with young, rebuilding teams, the Sky and Fever have separated in dramatic fashion.
And on Friday night at Wintrust Arena, there was no comparison to be drawn as the Sky lost 100-81, dropping to 4-12 at home and 11-20 on the season.
As the Fever continue to become a stronger team, the Sky are on the brink of coming undone.
“We came out exactly how we wanted to and just lost it,” guard Rachel Banham said.
The Sky built up a 13-point lead in the first quarter but maintained it for just six seconds. By the time the first-quarter buzzer sounded, the lead was down to three.
From there, the Fever — with the top-ranked offense since the second week of July — flexed their muscle, leading by 25 by midway through the fourth quarter, at which point things began to get chippy. The Sky were called for two flagrant fouls against Fever guard Caitlin Clark, including one by veteran Diamond DeShields in garbage time. As Clark streaked down an open court in transition, DeShields ran with her in stride before lowering her shoulder slightly. Clark tumbled to the floor.
Her ensuing free throws extended the Fever’s lead to 27. DeShields wasn’t ejected but opted to head back to the locker room, raising her hands as fans cheered.
“Us vets have to step up in those moments,” Banham said in response to a question afterward about the heightened emotions. “We have to keep [the team] composed. I think we could have done a better job of that. We all were just kind of losing our minds at the end.”
Clark led all scorers with a career-high 31 points and 12 assists and was 8-for-14 from the field and 5-for-9 from three-point range. It was her third game with at least 25 points and 10 assists — the most in a season in WNBA history, according to ESPN. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell extended her streak of 20-plus-point games to six, finishing with 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting.
Michaela Onyenwere led the Sky with 20 points, and fellow forward Angel Reese had her 23rd double-double — surpassing Tina Charles’ rookie record — with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Banham added 14 point shooting 4-for-10 from three.
The Sky and Fever’s previous three meetings were decided by a total of 10 points. This 19-point thrashing told a different story. It was the first time the Sky gave up 100 points this season.
“If you’re not motivated after getting your ass whooped, then you have a problem,” Banham said.
The Sky hung their hats on defense in the first half of the season but have won just one game since the Olympic break and now have the third-worst defensive rating in the league.
“Defense is a will and a want to,” coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. “It’s a desire. Defense is the hardest damn thing you’re going to play in this game, and you do so under control without fouling. In that third quarter, we sent them to the line over and over and over.”
The Fever, currently sixth in the standings, could likely bounce whichever team they meet in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Sky’s season-worst five-game losing streak is threatening to erase them from the postseason altogether. They’re a game ahead of the Dream in the eighth and final spot with a two-game road trip coming up against the Lynx and Aces.
