Caitlin Clark Enters WNBA Playoffs On Rookie Year

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever reacts after a three pointer during the first half wam at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo : Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Caitlin Clark is heading to the 2024 WNBA Playoffs in her first year in the league.

Clark's stellar rookie year continues as the Indiana Fever enters the post-season for the first time since 2016. This ends the seven-season playoff drought of the team, which is tied for the longest in the WNBA, ESPN noted.

The former Iowa Hawkeye star is posting impressive statistics this year and is leading the race for Rookie of the Year. In 33 games this season, she has averaged 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and a league-high 8.4 assists per game. She is also second in the league for three-pointers made.

Since the WNBA All-Star break, the 22-year-old has played like a veteran and helped lead the Fever to a 6-1 record wherein she averaged 24.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists per match. This included a career-high 31-point game for the rookie.

These stats helped secure Indiana's playoff spot while also giving Clark her second-consecutive Eastern Conference Player of the Week recognition.

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Indiana is currently in sixth place in the standings with a 17-16 record. It joins the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, Seattle Storm, and Phoenix Mercury, all of which have clinched their post-season spots. Only one more playoff space left, with Angel Reese's Chicago Sky sitting in eighth place.

Caitlin Clark Breaking WNBA Records

Just a few games left in the season, and Clark has made a clear case for a ROTY win, if not an MVP run.

In her first year, Clark has broken multiple league records and established new ones.

Here are some of her WNBA records, per ESPN:

  • Single-season record for three-pointers by a rookie
  • Single-season record for assists by a rookie
  • WNBA record for most assists in a game (19)
  • First triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history
  • Only player with more than 700,000 WNBA All-Star Game votes
  • Fastest player to reach 350 points and 150 assists to start a WNBA season

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