ESPN
Aug 17, 2024, 12:00 AM ET
The WNBA is back after a monthlong break for the Olympics. All eyes are on the playoff push with five weeks remaining in the regular season.
But the most anticipated draft class in league history also continues to draw attention. Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in April, hopes to lead the Indiana Fever back to the postseason for the first time since 2016. And Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso hope to lead their Chicago Sky to the playoffs as well.
Clark and Reese have already etched their names into the record books this season. Clark set the WNBA single-game record with 19 assists, and she is the first rookie in league history to tally a triple-double. Reese set a WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles (15).
We'll continue to track the top rookie performances every game day throughout the season.
Last updated: Aug. 16
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Guard | 6-foot | Game log | Stats | Watch: First-half recap
Last time out: The Fever looked extremely eager to play again Friday, beginning their first game since the Olympic break with a 33-16 first-quarter lead. The Phoenix Mercury erased it and even took a one-point lead in the third quarter. But Indiana kept its composure and won 98-89 before another full house at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Clark had 29 points -- one off her season high -- 10 assists and 5 rebounds, as she and fellow guard Kelsey Mitchell (28 points) outdueled Phoenix's Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud, who combined for 51 points.
Clark became the first WNBA rookie to have multiple games of at least 25 points/10 assists/5 rebounds. It was her second such game this season, as Indiana moves to 12-15 and stays in seventh place in the standings.
What we learned: When you evoke names such as Courtney Vandersloot and Ticha Penicheiro in talking about a young WNBA point guard, you know you're in legend territory. In her last game before the break, on July 17, Clark broke Vandersloot's single-game assist record with 19. After adding 10 on Friday, she has the second-highest two-game total in league history, trailing only Vandersloot's 30 in 2020 while she was with the Chicago Sky.
Clark is also now just three away from breaking Penicheiro's rookie assist record of 225, set in 1998 with the Sacramento Monarchs. Penicheiro, the No. 2 draft pick in 1998 out of Old Dominion, finished her WNBA career in 2012 with 2,600 assists. That is third all time to Sue Bird's 3,234 and Vandersloot's 2,778. Vandersloot, the No. 3 pick in 2011 out of Gonzaga, is now with the New York Liberty.
Clark said one of the things she worked on most during the Olympic break was improving her strength.
"I'm 'discreetly' strong," Clark said with a smile. "I know I'm never going to be the strongest person. I try to put on some weight, and I've been working hard in the weight room. There's some limits to that in what I can do in the season. But over the course of the last three weeks or so, we've all been going hard in the weight room.
"I've been very sore, and it's been hard to shoot some days. But I think it's going to help me down the stretch." -- Michael Voepel
Up next: vs. Seattle Storm on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Angel Reese records 18th double-double of season
Angel Reese finishes with 11 points and 15 rebounds in the Sky's loss to the Mercury.
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Reese compiled her league-leading 18th double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points (4-for-14 shooting from field, 3-for-8 from the free throw line) and 15 rebounds (8 offensive). But the Sky suffered a 85-65 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, their worst defeat of the season. With 15 regular-season games left, Reese looks poised to break the rookie record for double-doubles (Tina Charles had 22 in 2010).
What we learned: It was a forgettable start to the second half for the Sky, who were outscored 30-12 at the end of the first frame -- their worst point differential in any quarter since June 2022 -- and couldn't make up the gap.
With Chennedy Carter sidelined because of illness and Marina Mabrey traded to Connecticut, Chicago's offense stalled for most of the game, managing a 37% clip from the field and 21.1% from 3. With Mabrey gone, the Sky coaching staff needs to find ways fast to help Reese (and Kamilla Cardoso) get going down low if Chicago is to maintain its grasp on a playoff spot. -- Alexa Philippou
Up next: at Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday (5 p.m. ET)
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Center | 6-foot-7 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Cardoso finished with 10 points (5-for-8 shooting), joining Reese and Dana Evans (14 points) as the only Chicago players to reach double figures. She also pulled down five rebounds.
What we learned: While the Chicago bigs had quiet nights offensively, Phoenix's Brittney Griner did not. The three-time Olympian, fresh off a gold medal run in Paris, put up 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting, to go along with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks. It's the sort of performance coach Teresa Weatherspoon will hope her young posts in Cardoso and Reese can learn from. -- Philippou
Up next: at Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday (5 p.m. ET)
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Jackson finished with 13 points (6-for-14 shooting, 1-for-3 from 3) in the Sparks' 103-68 thrashing at the hands of the first-place New York Liberty. It was the first game in which Jackson didn't record a rebound this season and was also one of her higher turnover outings (4), and it was a rough night overall for Los Angeles, which experienced its worst defeat since July 2022.
What we learned: Having to face the best team in the league, one featuring a slew of Olympians who didn't have to shake off any rust from a monthlong break, was a tough draw for the Sparks in their first game back. But they don't have much time to dwell on Thursday's rout with a hungry Chicago team, hoping to rediscover its footing after a blowout loss to Phoenix, heading to town Saturday. -- Philippou
Up next: vs. Chicago Sky on Saturday (5 p.m. ET)
— espnW (@espnW) August 16, 2024"I'm a perfectionist, so I want to be great as quickly as possible." 🔥
Rickea Jackson spoke to @Andraya_Carter and @LaChinaRobinson on lessons from her rookie season and bonding with her teammate Cameron Brink 🌟 pic.twitter.com/JDDnd963jc
