Caitlin Clark is unbelievable.
We’ve all seen her capturing, we’re now seeing her passing and one other factor that makes her stand out, particularly for her age, is her adaptability. Throughout her first video games within the WNBA, she appeared to be relying solely on what labored again in Iowa, however now, she’s extra eager to strive one thing completely different. The factor that caught my consideration in Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Dallas Wings was her driving to the basket. Whereas she went simply 2-for-9 from 3, she made eight 2-pointers, all of them coming from the inside; seven have been, the truth is, layups.
She wouldn’t have completed the sport with 24 factors if it wasn’t for her teammates spreading the ground and opening up the lane for her. She additionally owes them the grandest achievement of her WNBA profession to date: 19 assists in a single recreation, a WNBA report. Whereas the Fever in the end misplaced the competition, it wasn’t just like the group was stat padding simply to make her look good. When the nineteenth dime got here, each groups have been tied at 93. The Wings closed out the sport with a 8-0 run, as Clark dedicated a capturing foul and a turnover within the final two minutes.
No person’s going guilty her for the loss, simply as no one’s going guilty Aliyah Boston (career-high 28 factors), NaLyssa Smith (13 factors and 12 boards) or Kelsey Mitchell (13 factors on 60 % capturing). The Fever are steadily enhancing and are higher than their 11-15 report would possibly point out. For the primary time this season, they’ve entered prime 5 of ESPN’s WNBA energy rankings and in the event that they maintain this up, they’ll make the playoffs this season.
Clark and Boston are anticipated to contribute on a nightly foundation for the Fever to remain in any recreation, however the important thing to profitable appears to be Mitchell and her impression on offense. Within the earlier two video games, wins in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx, she scored 28 and 21 factors, respectively. Getting her sufficient touches and open photographs might be essential for the Fever within the close to future. For now, they’re heading into the Olympic break. Kristy Wallace would be the solely Fever participant on the Olympics, suiting up for the Australian Opals. However first, count on Boston, Clark and Mitchell to present their all in opposition to Group USA at WNBA All-Star 2024.
