INDIANAPOLIS — The “Caitlin Clark effect” continues to redefine the WNBA, with the Indiana Fever rookie leading her team to new heights while breaking records along the way.

On July 6th, Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double. Fast forward to Wednesday’s 93-86 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, and she doubled that achievement, posting her second career triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. This milestone places Clark among only six players in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in their careers—an incredible feat for a first-year player.

Midway through the third quarter, Clark hit her second three-pointer, bringing her season total to 100, another record for WNBA rookies. But even with these accolades, Clark remains grounded, emphasizing that team success is her focus—not the individual accolades that drive the external conversation.

“You’ve got to win to have all that on the side,” Clark explained to reporters after the game. “For me, it’s fun winning basketball games. It’s fun walking off the court and the crowd’s going crazy because you just won, and you played a good game. So for me, that’s where my main focus is. And I think when I do that, everything else comes along with it.”

Clark’s ability to impact the game is undeniable, but what’s truly remarkable is how her presence has transformed the Fever. Her leadership and performance have pushed the Fever to an 18-16 record, clinching their first playoff berth since 2016.

Caitlin Clark’s Historic Performances Elevate the Fever

The Fever has surged since the Olympic break, boasting a 7-1 record, the best in the WNBA during this stretch. This success is not just because of Clark’s record-breaking individual performances, but a result of how she elevates everyone around her. She’s now dished out double-figure assists in three straight games and has done it 12 times this season. She’s dicing up defenses in pick-and-roll and in the open floor in transition.

Indiana’s offensive versatility and defensive discipline have been pivotal. The Fever now holds the league’s fifth-best defensive rating post-Olympics and contributions from across the roster have been critical. Lexie Hull has become a key factor, ranking fourth in the WNBA in three-point shooting percentage, while Kelsey Mitchell continues to light up the scoreboard, trailing only A’ja Wilson in points per game (25.6) since the break. Clark isn’t far behind, averaging 24.5 points per game in the same span.

The Fever’s ability to blend offensive firepower with defensive consistency has created a well-rounded, dangerous team that’s peaking at just the right time. All five starters—Clark, Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Hull, and NaLyssa Smith—were drafted by the Fever, demonstrating a remarkable cohesion and loyalty that have translated into success on the court.

“The relationships we’ve built with one another as teammates, as friends, that’s definitely carried over onto the court,” Clark said. “And the way we’re playing for one another, and the passion we’re playing with, and the way we celebrate our teammates’ success, I think that’s the best way to play basketball.”

It’s not just a transcendent talent having explosive performances; it’s a rookie leader transforming the entire team’s culture. The Fever understood this was going to transpire when the team was celebrating landing the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft after the order played out. The franchise was set to be forever changed.

Christie Sides Credits Caitlin Clark for Building Fever’s Culture

Clark’s ability to elevate the play of those around her has been evident all season, and the Fever team is thriving because they’ve bought into her leadership. Whether she’s setting up teammates with pinpoint passes, knocking down clutch shots, or bringing a competitive intensity that pushes everyone to be better, Clark is driving the Fever’s resurgence. Her impact goes beyond the stat sheet—she’s helping to reshape the identity of a franchise that has long been searching for a spark.

Fever head coach Christie Sides has also been impressed with how players like Clark remain focused on team goals over individual recognition. “She really doesn’t care about those things,” Sides said about Clark. “She just wants to keep getting better, keep helping the team get better, and just keep moving forward to be the best team that we can be. But she’s growing and she’s steady, and she’s learning this game, and she’s learning her teammates.”

Sides has seen the team blossom into a formidable contender, and she attributes much of their success to the trust and camaraderie the players have developed.“We’re not done yet, and that’s the key message,” Sides said. “We don’t want people thinking our goal was just to make the playoffs. We’ve done that, but now we have six games left, and we’ve got to make sure we stay focused.”

The goal isn’t to prove themselves as a team. Instead, it’s about incremental progress. “Someone told me today, ‘You don’t have anything to prove, you just have to improve,’ and I really appreciated that advice,” Sides added. “It’s important because we don’t need to prove ourselves anymore—we just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing and find ways to get that 1 percent better.”

Sides further explained that Clark’s mentality has helped set a team culture. “That’s why we just have some really good things that keep happening, because they’re learning each other. If one is down, we’ve got others that are stepping up all the time.”

As Clark continues to develop, her elite skill set and leadership qualities are drawing comparisons to some of the WNBA’s all-time greats. From her playmaking abilities to her competitive edge, Clark is shaping the future of the Fever and leaving an indelible mark on the league.

Caitlin Clark Draws Comparisons to WNBA Legends

After the game, Sparks head coach Curt Miller couldn’t help but marvel at Clark’s rare blend of natural talent and basketball intelligence—traits that have quickly set her apart from many veterans in the league. Clark, despite being a rookie, plays with a level of control and poise that’s uncommon for someone so early in their career. Her ability to dictate the pace of the game, while effortlessly reading defenses and creating opportunities for her teammates, showcases a basketball IQ that rivals some of the league’s greatest ever.

“She is elite—one special player. What stands out to me, having been around the game for 35 years, is her pace and tempo. She’s an elite passer,” Miller explained about Clark. “She sees things before they develop, and her ability to read the game is incredible. That’s why, for us to turn her over seven times tonight, and maybe force some other turnovers attributed to bad catches, was impressive. She’s just such an incredible passer.”

Clark’s shooting range undoubtedly is a massive threat that commands the defense’s attention as soon as she crosses half-court. Miller detailed how that opens up the game her, saying, “Everyone talks about her logo threes, and while her range is incredible, it opens up the floor for everyone else. That kind of range forces teams to guard her constantly and give her a lot of attention.”

When contextualizing Clark’s greatness, Miller had some comparisons that may sound lofty for a rookie but are fair for Clark. The pace Sue Bird played with early in her career resembles how Clark plays currently. Meanwhile, Becky Hammon, who Clark coached as an assistant at Colorado State, compared Clark’s shooting accuracy and ability to create separation as a shot creator to her.

“She’s really special…When Sue Bird was in her prime, she played with incredible pace—something that probably wasn’t talked about enough. I got to coach Becky Hammon in college, and she had a unique ability to score,” Miller detailed about comparisons for Clark. “If she got any space, you could just count it. She wasn’t going to miss open shots. Becky didn’t play with the same pace as Caitlin, but she had that ability to create space, get her shots off, and make them. So, I see elements of Caitlin that remind me of what I witnessed firsthand coaching Becky Hammon.”

Miller’s comparisons to legends like Bird and Hammon may seem bold, but they underscore just how special Clark’s game truly is. As a rookie, she has already established herself as a player who demands attention, not just for her highlight-worthy shots but for her ability to control the tempo and make everyone around her better. As Clark continues to grow and evolve, she’s poised to carve out her own place among the WNBA’s all-time greats. For now, her remarkable debut season is a clear signal to the league: Caitlin Clark is here, and she’s changing the game.

Caitlin Clark’s Continued Development on Both Ends

Even as she makes history with the WNBA, Clark recognizes that there are areas of her game in which she can still improve. Defensively, she’s focused on becoming a more complete player. Right now, she’s confident in her on-ball defense but acknowledged there being room to improve when playing off the ball. “Honestly, I feel like I’m a pretty good on-ball defender. It’s my off-ball defense that I need to keep working on,” she stated.

Reflecting on how she can improve, Clark admits there are times when she isn’t properly paying attention to both the ball and her matchup or doesn’t rotate quickly enough. “Sometimes I get caught watching my man or don’t rotate how I should. But I’m learning, and I keep going back to the film to get better,” Clark revealed. “But I try to use my basketball IQ and understanding of angles to make plays for my team on defense, and I look to get deflections… I just try to use my IQ, length, and speed on defense. But again, the biggest area I can still improve is definitely my off-ball defense.”

With Clark being a six-foot guard with a long wingspan, Miller envisions her growing into being an impactful defender. Even before that happens, the Fever superstar is already “a special player” from Miller’s perspective. “Caitlin’s also got great size, and she’s going to grow defensively as her career progresses,” Miller explained. “With her length and size, she’ll only get better on that end. She’s a special player, and we’re really fortunate to have her in our league.”

With six games left in the regular season, the Fever have an opportunity to make a deep playoff run. The passion, focus, and camaraderie that have powered them during this 7-1 stretch will be key as they continue to compete for playoff positioning. Clark’s leadership, combined with the team’s balanced attack, makes the Fever one of the most exciting and dangerous teams heading into the postseason.

The Fever team is in great spirits right now, with a confidence that should put the rest of the WNBA on notice. “The character in that locker room is incredible,” Sides said. “They’re just great people, and it’s just really, really fun to watch them. They keep growing, and the sky’s the limit for these guys.”

The Fever’s next challenge comes Friday against the Minnesota Lynx, continuing their homestand. This matchup features the WNBA’s two hottest teams, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. It will be a strong test for Indiana as they prepare for what could potentially be a first-round playoff matchup.