Sports
Caitlin Clark is going to shatter ominous WNBA record
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has made a habit of making history, although setting the WNBA rookie turnover record is one that she hopes will be lost in the record books.
Clark committed five turnovers in a 89-84 loss to the Mystics on Wednesday, putting her at 127 on the season in 23 games (5.5 turnovers per game).
The Fever superstar passed Nikki McCray (126), who set the rookie record in 1998 in 29 games.
Clark’s 127 turnovers come in just prior to the All-Star/Olympic break, with the team still having 17 games to play.
When players return, Clark will easily break the all-time season record for turnovers, as set by the Sun’s Alyssa Thomas (137) last season.
Clark is on track for 220 turnovers this season.
The Rookie of the Year frontrunner did have a big game on Wednesday despite being loose with the basketball, recording 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five steals, and five blocks; the first player in either NBA or WNBA since 1973-74 season to accomplish that feat in a game.
Her massive turnover rate likely has something to do with just how much the Fever depend on her for on offense.
Clark has the 11th-highest usage rate in the WNBA (24.6) by far the highest of any rookie and even higher than stars Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner.
The WNBA’s biggest superstar has endured plenty of physical play from the opposition, which she has begun to fight back against.
Clark shoved Julie Vanloo in the chippy loss on Tuesday.
“Honestly, I feel like I talk to the media more than I get to talk to my own family … which is really kind of sad, in a way,” Clark told reporters on May 25, noting that her statement wasn’t an exaggeration. “It’s a lot for somebody that’s 22 years old. It can be tough at times.”