Caitlin Clark delivered the WNBA’s first 45-point, 10-assist double-double on Wednesday, propelling the Indiana Fever to a 98-89 victory over the Seattle Storm. The rookie guard shot 15-of-24 from the field. She added five rebounds. It was a career night.
Clark dominated from the opening tip. She scored 18 points in the first quarter. Her assist total included a no-look pass to Aliyah Boston in transition. The Fever trailed by six at halftime. Clark responded with 14 points and four assists in the third quarter alone. The performance effectively ended any competitive questions by the fourth.
The statistical rarity is significant. No player in WNBA history had reached both 45 points and 10 assists in a single game. Clark’s outing surpassed the previous high-scoring double-double standard set by Breanna Stewart (42 points, 10 rebounds in 2021). The Fever’s official recap noted Clark’s efficiency rating of 38 was the highest for any player this season.
LeBron James amplified the moment. He posted a clip of Clark’s performance on Instagram with the caption, “SHE IS SPECIAL!! 🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔥.” The post, as reported by OutKick, generated over 2 million likes within 12 hours. James’ endorsement signals a crossover appeal that women’s basketball has long sought from top-tier NBA talent.
Fan reaction was immediate. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd gave Clark a standing ovation during a fourth-quarter timeout. Social media metrics from the game showed a 340% spike in WNBA-related mentions on X (formerly Twitter) compared to the league’s average regular-season game. Sports analysts on ESPN and NBA TV dedicated segments to analyzing her shot selection and playmaking.
Clark’s trajectory raises questions about the Fever’s playoff positioning. Indiana currently sits sixth in the standings, three games behind the third-seeded Storm. Clark leads all rookies in scoring (22.1 PPG) and assists (8.4 APG). Sustaining this pace would make her the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and an All-WNBA selection.
The Fever face the Chicago Sky on Friday. Clark will draw significant defensive attention. But Wednesday’s performance established a baseline: she is capable of single-handedly altering game outcomes. The WNBA has a new statistical benchmark. Its face is 22 years old.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What historic record did Caitlin Clark break in this WNBA game?
- A: Caitlin Clark recorded the first 45-point, 10-assist double-double in WNBA history, surpassing the previous high-scoring double-double standard set by Breanna Stewart.
- Q: How did LeBron James react to Caitlin Clark’s performance?
- A: LeBron James posted a clip of Clark’s performance on Instagram with the caption ‘SHE IS SPECIAL!!’, generating over 2 million likes within 12 hours.
- Q: What was the fan reaction to Clark’s historic game?
- A: Fans gave Clark a standing ovation during a fourth-quarter timeout, and social media mentions of the WNBA spiked 340% during the game.
Extended Reading
For further context on Clark’s historic night and LeBron James’ reaction, consult the original reporting from Fever.wnba.com and OutKick .