WNBA most assists in a game: Fever rookie Caitlin Clark breaks record with 19 dimes vs. Wings

Dan Treacy

WNBA most assists in a game: Fever rookie Caitlin Clark breaks record with 19 dimes vs. Wings image

Fever rookie Caitlin Clark isn't headed to the Olympics in 2024, but she will enter Saturday's All-Star Game with a new WNBA record in hand.

Clark broke the league record for most assists in a game Wednesday, dishing out 19 in a 101-93 loss to the Wings. The record was previously held by Courtney Vandersloot, who recorded 18 assists in a game for the Sky in 2020. 

The Fever didn't have the night they wanted on defense, surrendering more than 100 points, but the offense hummed right along thanks in part to Clark's passing abilities. The 22-year-old has posted double-digit assists in six of her last seven games entering the Olympic break.

Clark also scored 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field and added six rebounds.

Here's a look at how Clark broke the record and which other players have approached the mark.

MORE: Full list of WNBA All-Stars vs. Team USA

Most assists in a WNBA game

PlayerAssistsSeasonTeam
Caitlin Clark192024Fever
Courtney Vandersloot182020Sky
Alyssa Thomas162023Sun
Sabrina Ionescu162022Liberty
Courtney Vandersloot162021Sky
Ticha Penicheiro162002Monarchs
Ticha Penicheiro161998Monarchs

Clark's 19 assists broke Ticha Penicheiro's rookie record, set in 1998 with the now-defunct Sacramento Monarchs, and Vandersloot's overall record, set in 2009 with the Sky. 

Clark's connection with her teammates seems to be improving with each game. She didn't record double-digit assists until her 18th WNBA game but has since rattled off seven double-digit assist games in the Fever's last nine contests.

MORE: Highlights from Clark's record-breaking night vs. Wings

Still, Clark never exceeded 13 assists in a game before Wednesday night. She and Aliyah Boston, who scored 28 points, found a new gear against the Wings even in a tough loss, as the Fever shot better than 53% from the field.

The record is another feather in the cap of Clark as she makes her case for WNBA Rookie of the Year. While she would much rather have gotten the win, the performance should at least earn her some more momentum in the race after a few notable figures made the case for Angel Reese to be the favorite for the award.

Clark and the Fever don't play again until Aug. 16, but the former Iowa star will take the court as a WNBA All-Star in Saturday's summer showcase against Team USA.

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.