Caitlin Clark finds alignment — and delivers a record-breaking performance in Fever win
The 3x All-Star scored a career-high and franchise-record 45 points, added 10 assists and led the Fever back from an eight-point deficit to beat Seattle on Friday night.
It’s the slowest sports week of the year, and Caitlin Clark is once again giving sports fans something to talk about.
Earlier in the week, ESPN held its annual ESPY Awards in New York City. Clark was not a finalist for Best WNBA Player after winning the award last year because injuries limited her to 13 games last season.
She was recently named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June. Then, on Friday, she delivered her latest jaw-dropping performance in a 110-107 Indiana Fever win over the Seattle Storm.
Just two days earlier, Clark was held to 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting. She made just 1 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc, and the Fever lost to the Golden State Valkyries by 13.
Clark knew this game would be different. She puts in the work daily — on her mind, her body and her game.
When there is alignment, as she felt before tipoff Friday night, good luck to the opposing team.
“I feel like some nights you have it,” she told reporters postgame. “And even before the ball tips, and I felt like it was gonna be one of those for me, obviously. Struggled a little bit getting back into the groove after missing a couple weeks. So I thought this was a good opportunity for me to come out and be aggressive early.”
Clark has experienced plenty of newness over the last year: injuries, being unable to help the team on the court, the isolation that comes with rehabilitation and now following the medical team’s guidance as it strategically manages her workload during this ramp-up.
“Again, I know it’s a boring answer, but the truth is, the reality is that it’s their long term health and wellness is the priority and it always will be,” head coach Stephanie White said pregame.
We know she doesn’t like a minutes restriction; she’d rather play the entire game. But she also has a better understanding of her situation and what it will require for her to be available every night.
Through it all, Clark has leaned on her small support group: family, close friends, a mental coach, a physical therapist, plus the Fever’s medical staff and coaches.
“I feel like you just have to believe you’re gonna have those type of nights,” Clark continued. “And you have to visualize having those type of nights. And I feel like that’s what I did.
“And it’s not always gonna go your way. Sometimes there’s gonna be a stretch where the ball’s not going through the rim, and you can’t get discouraged. And I know all the time in the work that I’ve put in, and people believe in me, and more than anything, I believe in myself.
“And you just gotta dig your feet in a little bit. And when it’s not going your way, nobody cares. Find a way to make it better, and find a way to help your team win, and make this team better.”
Clark delivered a performance those in attendance will not soon forget. She’s not just a hooper; she’s an entertainer. And she continues to be a record-breaker.
You break it, you own it.
That’s the slogan from Nike after her record-breaking college career.
