Caitlin Clark's next test features her dueling with standout rookies Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and the Sparks on Tuesday in a clash between two of the WNBA's cellar-dwellers.
The Fever rookie has been the talk of the league so far, showcasing flashes of her brilliance amid rampant coverage. It hasn't been perfect: Clark is hitting just 37.1 percent of her shots through her opening seven games.
Nevertheless, with 15.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, Clark's numbers far exceed that of her Rookie of the Year competition — even Brink, who has emerged as a quiet Defensive Player of the Year threat.
With a matchup against lowly Los Angeles looming, perhaps Clark can erupt and post the sort of stat line that followed her every move back in Iowa. She didn't have the greatest of shooting showings the last time the two sides met, sinking just four of her 14 attempts, but she left her fingerprints on every part of the game, corralling 10 rebounds and recording eight assists to just two turnovers. Oh, and she made sure to finish the contest with a flourish, whetting the nylon with one of her signature step-back threes from Palo Alto.
Good times are a-coming for Clark and the Fever. It's just a matter of when they will materialize. Perhaps Tuesday night's game — held under the bright lights of Gainsbridge Fieldhouse amid a raucous crowd of navy-clad Fever fans — could lift Indiana out of its early-season stupor.
The Sporting News is tracking Clark's performance against the Sparks. Follow below for highlights and more as Clark attempts to outshine Brink, Jackson, Dearica Hamby, and the rest of Los Angeles.
MORE: WNBA rookie ladder: Where Clark, Brink, Angel Reese rank
Caitlin Clark stats vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Final score: Sparks 88, Fever 82
Clark poured in a career-high 30 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field, but it wasn't enough to give Indiana it's second win of the season. The Fever fall to 1-7, while the Sparks improve to 2-4.
Clark did a lot of her work from the foul line, making 13 of 15 free throws. She also played solid defense throughout, totaling three steals and three blocks. Her struggles continued with her turnovers and fouls, though. She had seven turnovers and five personal fouls in 34 minutes.
Fellow rookie Cameron Brink had just three points, three rebounds and two blocks for the Sparks.
Points | 30 |
Rebounds | 5 |
Assists | 6 |
Steals | 3 |
Blocks | 3 |
Turnovers | 7 |
FG | 7-16 |
3FG | 3-10 |
FT | 13-15 |
Fouls | 5 |
MORE: Meet Kate Martin, Clark's Iowa teammate turned Aces rookie
Caitlin Clark highlights vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Clark has done it all tonight. Score, pass, play defense:
Caitlin Clark finds Kelsey Mitchell out wide for three👌 pic.twitter.com/7dE3hI6SmU
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 29, 2024
Not a bad trip down the floor here:
Caitlin Clark gets the block AND the 3-pointer 🔥
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 28, 2024
🎥: @IndianaFever pic.twitter.com/JGU9natDc2
A little trash talk shortly after Clark picked up the second technical of her career for complaining to the official:
End Q1: Sparks 24, Fever 15
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) May 28, 2024
Uhhhhhh, odd conclusion to the quarter. Caitlin Clark called for the technical foul, though Aari McDonald made the first free throw and talked right at Clark, but no technical in return? That’s strange. pic.twitter.com/tdohT3dOGw
Lookin' like Iowa Caitlin here:
Caitlin Clark has tied her career high with 22
— BettingPros (@BettingPros) May 29, 2024
points! pic.twitter.com/nutlx7RfrQ
Defensive stopper, Caitlin Clark?
Caitlin Clark is a blocking MACHINE!!! She's coming for that DPOY Trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/T1RwKf2zD8
— Aura Sports (@AuraProducti0ns) May 29, 2024
A few Pacers players showed up to support the Fever at home:
👋 @pacers players Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton are courtside at tonight's game! pic.twitter.com/es4HRT07vb
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 29, 2024