Caitlin Clark’s Near Triple-Double Thrills WNBA Fans as Fever Beat Taurasi, Mercury

Caitlin Clark set a franchise rookie record for assists in a single season as the Indiana Fever defeated Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury 88-82 Sunday afternoon in Arizona.

Clark came one rebound shy of a triple-double while contributing 15 points and 12 assists in the Fever’s first win over a team above .500.

The achievement came the game after Clark continued her development as a playmaker by becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to rack up 300 points, 100 rebounds and 100 career assists.

Clark hit the milestone in just her 19th WNBA contest.

The day before the game Clark called the opportunity to play against Taurasi a “dream come true.”

“That’s somebody I grew up idolizing and looking up to and wanting to be like one day,” Clark said. “Obviously she’s one of the greatest players our game has ever seen, greatest scorer our game has ever seen… You get to live out your dream while playing against the best, one of the best there ever has been.”

The three-time WNBA champion then greeted Clark prior to the game:

Clark wasn’t the only person excited to see the matchup between the Rookie of the Year candidate and former MVP.

Taurasi made five of 14 shots for 19 points in the loss. Clark finished the game with 15 points on 4-for-14 shooting from the field while going 5-for-6 from the foul line and adding a pair of highlight-reel three-pointers:

The Fever won after going on a 17-point run late in the third quarter thanks in part to five assists by Clark.

Kesley Mitchell put up clutch points in the fourth quarter before Clark scored on two late free throws to help seal the win.

Fever coach Christie Sides said after the game that Clark wasn’t feeling well throughout the game, as she was dealing with a migraine.

Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 17 points. Mitchell contributed 16 points, while Temi Fagbenle added 10 off the bench.

Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 24 points in the loss.

The Fever improve to 8-12 with the victory. Indiana will face another tough opponent Tuesday when Clark and Boston take on A’ja Wilson and the reigning champion Aces in Las Vegas.