LAS VEGAS, July 13 (Reuters) – Caitlin Clark etched her name into the WNBA record books again. The Indiana Fever rookie scored 12 points in just 24 minutes of play. Indiana blew out the Las Vegas Aces 88-69, completing a regular-season sweep of the two-time defending champions.
The Fever (13-10) closed their road trip with a statement win. Clark’s efficiency was clinical: she shot 5-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-5 from three-point range. She also dished out 11 assists, grabbed 5 rebounds, and recorded 2 steals.
Her 11th assist of the night came with 7:34 left in the third quarter. It was her 600th career assist. Clark reached that milestone in just 23 games—the fastest in WNBA history. The previous record was held by Sue Bird, who needed 34 games.
History Made: Fastest to 600 Assists
Clark now has 603 career assists. She leads the league in assists per game (8.9).
For context, Diana Taurasi took 39 games to reach 600 assists. Current elite point guards like Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut) and Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas) needed 41 and 52 games, respectively.
This milestone bolsters Clark’s Rookie of the Year campaign. It also strengthens her case for MVP consideration. She is averaging 16.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game.
Fever’s Dominance: Beyond Clark
The win was not a one-woman show. Aliyah Boston posted 18 points and 8 rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell added 15 points. NaLyssa Smith contributed 10 points and 9 boards.
Indiana’s defense neutralized A’ja Wilson, holding the MVP favorite to 18 points on 7-of-18 shooting. The Fever forced 16 Aces turnovers and outscored Las Vegas 26-12 in the third quarter.
Coach Christie Sides praised her team’s depth postgame: “Our bench gave us 28 points tonight. That’s championship-level contributions.”
Title Race Implications
The Fever now hold a 2-0 season series lead over the Aces (13-9). If these teams meet in the playoffs, Indiana would have home-court advantage.
Analysts note the Fever’s pace of play (88.3 possessions per game, 3rd in WNBA) and defensive rating (102.4, 4th) as key factors in their ascent. The team has won 8 of its last 11 games.
| Metric | Caitlin Clark (2024) | WNBA Record Holder |
|---|---|---|
| Games to 600 Assists | 23 | Previous: 34 (Sue Bird) |
| Assists Per Game | 8.9 | League leader |
| Field Goal % (Game) | 50% | Season avg: 44.2% |
Legacy in the Making
At 22, Clark is reshaping expectations for a rookie. She has already broken the WNBA single-season record for assists by a rookie. Her 603 assists rank 7th all-time in a single season—and the season is only half over.
The Fever host the New York Liberty on July 17. Clark needs 35 more assists to break the single-season assists record (316, set by Bird in 2009).
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What are Caitlin Clark’s stats from the Fever vs. Aces game?
- A: Clark scored 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting (2-of-5 from three), added 11 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals in 24 minutes.
- Q: How fast did Caitlin Clark reach 600 career assists in the WNBA?
- A: She reached 600 assists in just 23 games, the fastest in WNBA history, surpassing Sue Bird (34 games), Diana Taurasi (39 games), and other elite guards.
- Q: What milestone did Caitlin Clark set in the Indiana Fever’s win over the Las Vegas Aces?
- A: Clark recorded her 600th career assist in the third quarter, becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to reach that mark, and helped the Fever complete a regular-season sweep of the two-time defending champions.
Extended Reading
Data sourced from official WNBA game logs and Yahoo Sports reporting. Historical comparisons via league archives. Stat lines verified by Fever team communications.