Caitlin Clark etches further WNBA record book entries in the presence of a monumental audience, leading the Indiana Fever to triumph over the Atlanta Dream.
In the 2024 WNBA season, the top draft pick smashed a historical record by notching her 21st game with at least 15 points and five assists, securing an 84-79 victory for the Indiana Fever over the Atlanta Dream. This extraordinary achievement surpassed any previous accomplishments in WNBA history.
Clark contributed an impressive 19 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block in the match. Her four-threes brought her season's three-point scores to 85, matching the rookie record set by Rhyne Howard of the Dream in 2022.
The Atlanta Hawks' State Farm Arena was full to the brim with 17,608 enthusiastic fans, breaking the record for the highest attendance at a WNBA game in Georgia. This was the fifth instance this season that a team's attendance record has been broken, with the Fever visiting each time.
Postgame, Clark showcased her excitement and gratitude for the ever-expanding women's basketball scene.
"I'm just a baller who enjoys the game," she shared. "Entering these venues and ambiances, it's astounding. It truly is.
"I didn't anticipate these crowds. Over time, you may get accustomed to it, but for me, that's never become mundane. It's always a thrilling experience, especially for a young girl who grew up attending games. I can only imagine how awe-struck I would have been to witness a crowd like this at a stadium of this caliber, back then as a kid."
She continued, expressing her pride in impacting the growth of women's basketball.
"It brings me immense joy to witness the impact my teammates and I, alongside women basketball players nationwide, have collectively managed to leave on this sport."
The Fever moved up to a 14-16 record with the win, placing them third in the East and seventh overall in the league standings. This season-high win tally marks a significant leap from their 2016 performance. Kelsey Mitchell shone with a season-best 29 points, extending her streak of scoring at least 20 points to four consecutive games, as reported by the Fever.
Aliyah Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year contender, compiled a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Damiris Dantas' sharpshooting resulted in 11 points in under 10 minutes, all achieved at an exceptionally high 80% efficiency.
The Fever started the match on a powerful 11-3 run and never ceded the lead, extending their advantage to an 18-point difference with roughly seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. Atlanta attempted a comeback, closing the gap by 6 points in the final quarter, but the deficit proved insurmountable.
Atlanta's season standings now read 10-19, with Tina Charles leading the team with 28 points. Howard (16), Gray (12), and Canada (10) also contributed double-digit scores.
After the thrilling victory, Clark mentioned her love for the game and its growing popularity, saying, "I'm just a baller who enjoys the sport." Her excitement extended to the increasing crowd sizes, admitting, "I didn't anticipate these crowds, but it's always a thrilling experience."
