Caitlin Clark’s journey in the WNBA is nothing short of inspiring, and this past Sunday marked a milestone moment in her rookie season that had the entire league buzzing. For Clark, it wasn’t just another game—it was a full-circle experience. Her memories of meeting Seimone Augustus at a Minnesota Lynx game as a child came rushing back, making this particular record-breaking achievement even more special.
“I got my picture with her on my dad’s little phone—it was maybe like a Blackberry back in the day,” Clark reminisced after her Indiana Fever secured a thrilling 110-109 victory over Dallas. “I vividly remember it. I was always a fan of her game and the way she could shoot the ball.” Fast forward to now, and Clark finds herself breaking Augustus' rookie season scoring record. Talk about a full-circle moment!
Record-Breaking Scoring Feat
Clark has racked up 761 points over 39 games, overtaking Augustus, who had set the previous mark with 744 points in 2006—back when the WNBA season was just 34 games long. While some might point out that Clark had a few extra games, the feat is impressive, nonetheless. Augustus, now set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, played 14 years in the league and is known as one of the greats. That Clark, a rookie, has already stepped into this legacy is telling of the heights her career could reach.
What made Sunday even more remarkable for Clark was her individual performance—35 points, her highest scoring game yet. But this wasn’t just a personal milestone. The Indiana Fever clinched the No. 6 seed in the WNBA playoffs, a big step for a team that hasn’t made the postseason since 2016. With a 20-19 record, they’re now looking to finish their regular season strong against Washington on Thursday.
Looking Ahead: The Fever’s Playoff Journey
As Clark noted, “Everybody is definitely excited for the playoffs. We’re not just happy to be there. We really feel like we can compete with every single team.” That’s the kind of confidence that fans want to hear. Sure, the Fever haven’t beaten every team in the league. They’re still chasing a win against the two-time defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, who swept them this past week. But with Clark leading the charge, and the Fever gaining momentum, anything feels possible.
Clark and Mitchell: Dynamic Duo
One of the most exciting parts of Sunday’s game was the sizzling chemistry between Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. The two combined for an unforgettable performance, with both players draining six 3-pointers each. This achievement marks only the third time in WNBA history that two teammates have hit at least six 3s in the same game. It’s been over a decade since that happened, making this game one for the record books.
Mitchell was quick to credit their growing on-court partnership: “We did a great job of just kind of piggy-backing our games off one another. She’s young, and she likes to play fast, and I can appreciate it. I think our pace can set us up for a lot of different stuff.”
Clark echoed the sentiment, highlighting how the duo’s understanding of each other’s playstyle has evolved throughout the season. “Kelsey makes my life easier out there,” she said. “It’s hard to pick and choose when both of us are on. We just really read and understand each other better from where we were in the beginning of the season.”
The History Behind the Record
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the player whose record Clark broke—Seimone Augustus. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2006, just like Clark, Augustus left an indelible mark on the league. The former LSU star spent 14 of her 15 WNBA seasons with the Minnesota Lynx, winning four championships and three Olympic gold medals with Team USA along the way. She wrapped up her playing career with the Los Angeles Sparks before moving into coaching, now an assistant at LSU.
Augustus’ rookie season remains legendary. She averaged 21.9 points per game—a record that still stands for rookie scoring average—along with 1.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds. While the Lynx had a tough year, finishing 10-24, Augustus would later lead them to six WNBA Finals appearances in her next seven seasons.
Clark, while not quite matching Augustus’ scoring average, is putting up equally impressive numbers in her own right. She’s currently averaging 19.5 points, 8.4 assists (leading the league), and 5.7 rebounds per game. She also just broke the WNBA’s single-season assist record, previously held by Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas, who set the mark last year with 316 assists. Clark? She’s already up to 329.
Exciting Milestones in a Stellar Rookie Season
Sunday’s game was filled with noteworthy moments for Clark. It was her fourth time scoring at least 30 points and dishing out five assists in the same game—tying Arike Ogunbowale’s rookie record from 2019. But it wasn’t just about individual stats. When both Clark and Mitchell score at least 20 points in the same game, the Fever are 7-2. Clearly, when this duo is on, Indiana is tough to beat.
Dallas may not have much to play for, having been eliminated from playoff contention, but they didn’t make things easy for the Fever. The Wings shot an impressive 56.8% from the field, with Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally both contributing 27 points each. However, Clark’s brilliance, along with Mitchell’s sharp shooting, was enough to give Indiana the edge.
Wrapping It Up
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking performance is just the latest chapter in what’s shaping up to be a stellar career. Breaking Seimone Augustus’ rookie scoring record is no small feat, and the fact that Clark did it while leading her team to their first playoff appearance since 2016 adds even more weight to the achievement.
The Fever may still have some challenges ahead, especially with teams like the Las Vegas Aces looming in the postseason. But with Clark and Mitchell leading the charge, the future looks bright. Indiana isn’t just happy to make the playoffs—they’re ready to make some noise. The Fever's combination of youth, energy, and sheer talent makes them a wildcard team that could surprise a lot of people. Let the games begin!
Login