ESPN
Aug 21, 2024, 12:09 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. 20
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Jackson joined Azura Stevens in pacing the Los Angeles Sparks with 14 points apiece in L.A.'s 69-61 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday at Boston's TD Garden. The rookie went 5-for-13 from the field, sank all four of her free throws and finished with 6 rebounds. One of Jackson's biggest plays of the game came midway through the fourth quarter when her and-1 off a putback tied the score after the Sun once led by 11.
What we learned: It was a difficult night offensively for the Sparks, who shot 39.4% and turned over the ball 22 times. But Los Angeles coach Curt Miller praised Jackson before the game for her "unbelievable" growth since being thrown into the fire at the beginning of the season. While she has demonstrated her prowess at getting the ball in the basket, the staff is challenging her to become a more impactful defender and to continue to stay aggressive as her minutes increase.
"The sky's the limit," Miller said of Jackson. "I hope the narrative out there isn't that there's two rookies, because she is an elite, elite rookie and has a bright future." -- Alexa Philippou
Up next: at Washington Mystics on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET, ION)
Caitlin Clark scores 23, breaks rookie assist record in Fever win
Caitlin Clark dazzles with 23 points and breaks the rookie assist record in the Fever's 92-75 win over the Storm.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Guard | 6-foot | Game log | Stats | Watch: First-half recap
Last time out: Clark had 9 assists Sunday to reach 232 this season, breaking the 26-year-old WNBA rookie season record of 224 set by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998. Clark also had 23 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks as the Fever beat the Seattle Storm 92-75 in Indianapolis.
Clark and fellow guards Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull combined for 72 of the Fever's points, as Indiana made 15 of 31 3-point attempts.
Clark complimented her teammates' ability to play well with her out of the pick-and-roll and in transition. Clark is leading the WNBA with 8.3 assists per game and has 12 regular-season games left. If she keeps this pace, she could top the overall season assist record of 316, set last year by the Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas.
What we learned: Clark in just 28 career WNBA games has set both the rookie season assist record and the single-game assist record (19). The Fever (13-15) also have matched their victory total from last season.
If there is one negative Clark will have to keep in mind, it's technical fouls. She picked up her fifth of the season Sunday for punching the basketball stanchion in frustration after missing a 3-point shot. Getting seven technical fouls in a season results in a one-game suspension, so Clark now will receive a letter from the league warning her she's getting close.
"I got a technical for basically being mad at myself," Clark said. "[The ref] told me it was disrespectful to the game of basketball. I'm a competitor, and I felt like I should have been making more shots."
Then Clark added with a grin, "I think he fired me up to continue to play a lot harder. I thought we got a lot better after he did that, so I want to thank him for that."
Fever coach Christie Sides said she doesn't want Clark to lose her competitive intensity, but that she will talk to her about the necessity of avoiding any more technicals.
"We're going to have a conversation; I don't need Caitlin to have to sit out a game," Sides said. "She's just a fiery competitor. I don't want to take that away from her." -- Michael Voepel
Up next: at Minnesota Lynx on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Angel Reese makes history with 19-point, 20-rebound performance
Sky rookie Angel Reese becomes the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 20 double-doubles in a season with a 19-point, 20-rebound effort vs. the Mercury.
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: It was a career night for Reese, who finished with a season-high 20 rebounds (including 10 offensive boards) and 19 points (8-for-16 shooting) in the Sky's 86-68 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday. It wasn't enough to overcome Phoenix's sizable lead, but Reese found a groove offensively in the fourth quarter, where she scored nine of her points and converted 4 of 5 attempts from the field.
Reese leads the WNBA in double-figure rebounding games this season with 22, and she recorded her league-best 20th double-double of the 2024 campaign. She is three away from setting a WNBA single-season record.
What we learned: While the Sky still hold the eighth spot in the WNBA standings following two losses in four days to the Mercury, the Atlanta Dream are threatening to knock them off that perch thanks to their impressive start to the second half with wins over the Seattle Storm and Connecticut Sun. With the surging Dream now just 1½ games back, a playoff spot for Chicago is far from guaranteed. -- Philippou
Up next: at Connecticut Sun on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET)
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Center | 6-foot-7 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Cardoso joined Reese in double figures with 12 points, while also having 4 rebounds and 2 assists (both to Reese). But Cardoso also dealt with foul trouble and played only 16 minutes.
What we learned: Cardoso looks increasingly comfortable offensively, especially in the first quarter when she scored 8 points in less than eight minutes. It was her third consecutive game scoring in double figures, her longest such stretch since mid-June. And it marked the ninth game this season, and third straight, in which both Cardoso and Reese managed 10-plus points.
But strong nights from both -- plus 12 points from Isabelle Harrison off the bench -- weren't enough to overcome a quiet night from the backcourt. What was most stark: The Sky went 0-for-14 on 3-pointers, the worst mark by any team in the league since 2019. Before their next game on Friday, the Sky have some time to get back on the practice court and work on ways to jump-start their offense following the Marina Mabrey trade. -- Philippou
Up next: at Connecticut Sun on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET)
