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Caitlin Clark, first rookie in WNBA history to record triple-double

Following a sluggish start to the new WNBA season, Indiana Fever are now starting to be a competitive outfit boosted by Caitlin Clark’s incredible talent.

Paul Reidy
Paul Reidypaulreidy67
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 6: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever reacts to the Indiana Fever bench during the second half against the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 6, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Michael Hickey/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Michael Hickey / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
MICHAEL HICKEYAFP

Indiana Fever star player Caitlin Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double as her team left it late to beat New York Liberty 83-78 at home on Saturday night at a packed arena in Indianapolis.

Once again, fans packed into Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis and erupted when Clark snatched her 10th rebound to complete the historic feat, and her teammates poured water on her head in celebration as she received the match ball in the locker room as a momento.

With the win, the Fever broke a nine-game losing streak to the Liberty and secured their first win over the side from the Big Apple since May 2022.

“Obviously, it’s cool,” Clark said after the game, “My teammates have been finishing the ball at a really, really high rate. My assist numbers, that’s because of them.”

With the win the Fever improved to 9-13 while the Eastern Conference-leading Liberty are now 17-4.

Clark has led a massive surge in interest in the Fever and the league since joining as the first overall draft pick in April.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever
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Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever MICHAEL HICKEYAFP

A game between the Fever and fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky last month averaged 2.25 million viewers, a 225% increase over the comparable game window last season, CBS said.

The Fever’s loss to the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday in Vegas drew a sold-out crowd of 20,366 fans at the T-Mobile Arena, marking the WNBA’s largest regular season single-game attendance since 1999.

Sluggish start

Despite a poor start to the 2024 WNBA regular season that saw the Fever slip up in their first four matches of the campaign with Clark on board, management remained faithful with under-fire coach Christie Sides and performances and results have improved in recent times as the team starts to gel with Clark the lynch-pin.

The Fever will be hoping to continue to build momentum against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday (July 10).

Indiana are now 9-13 across the season, a showing that has them in eighth place in the overall WNBA standings and fourth in the Eastern Conference.