Fever Notebook: Clark continues to impress in rookie campaign

Earlier this week, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark was named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the third consecutive week. According to Stat Mamba, the point guard is the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win the award three straight weeks. 

It has been an impressive season for Clark, who has helped the Fever clinch a playoff spot for the first time in eight years. Indiana has three games left to play in the regular season before the playoffs begin Sept. 22.

WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week

Clark averaged 25.0 points, 10.0 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game last week as the Fever finished with a 2-1 record. She made 13 threes in Indiana’s three games and set a franchise record for the most threes made in a single season with 111 entering this week.

On Sept. 4 against the Los Angeles Sparks, Clark had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to become the sixth player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles. On Sunday during the Fever’s win against the Atlanta Dream, she tallied 26 points and 12 assists for her 14th double-double of the season -- a franchise record.

Clark recorded her 300th assist in just 35 games, the fastest ever for any player in league history, and continues to lead the WNBA in assists at 8.4 per game.

Ten best rookie seasons in WNBA history

ESPN on Wednesday released an article naming the 10 best rookie seasons in WNBA history. Clark is No. 3 on the list behind Candace Parker (No. 1) and Indiana legend Tamika Catchings (No. 2).

The rest of the top 10 (4-10) includes Maya Moore, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Elena Delle Donne, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles and Angel Reese.

Seimone Augustus, Cheryl Ford and Sue Bird were also considered, according to the article.

Signature basketball sells out in under 40 minutes

Wilson Sporting Goods created a namesake basketball in honor of Clark, who is one of their partners.

On Wednesday, Irving Mejia-Hilario of Sports Business Journal reported that the signature ball went on sale Monday and was unavailable in under 40 minutes. The official number of basketballs sold was not provided, but it was in the tens of thousands.

"We haven't done a deal of this magnitude since we did one with Michael Jordan 30 to 40 years ago when we launched his first collection of basketballs," Wilson head of global brand partnerships David Picioski said.

The balls, which were available in either black and yellow or purple, blue and yellow, sold for $24.95 each.

Fever fall to Aces at home

Indiana fell to the defending WNBA champions Wednesday night at home. The Las Vegas Aces, led by 27 points and 12 rebounds from A’Ja Wilson, beat the Fever 86-75.

Wilson, who is the favorite to win the WNBA Most Valuable Player award, set a new single-season scoring record in the win.

She entered the game with 929 points this season and was able to surpass Jewell Loyd’s previous record of 939 points. 

Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 24 points, including four made threes. Clark finished with 16 points but struggled from behind the arc, connecting on just one of her 10 attempts from deep. She also had five turnovers.

“Overall, I didn’t feel like I played bad,” Clark said. “I felt as a group, we really struggled to make shots that we had been making, really since the start of the second half. And sometimes that’s basketball. I mean, they’re a great defensive team. You know they’re going to be physical with me. They’re strong, so that can kind of wear you down through the process of the game.”

The Fever (19-18) will play the Aces (23-13) again on Friday before a Sunday contest against the Dallas Wings (9-27). Indiana will wrap up the regular season Sept. 19 against the Washington Mystics (12-24).

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