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- Clark sets record, Mitchell nets 20-plus again to pace Fever (newsbreak.com)
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever set a new WNBA record for 3-pointers made by a rookie in a single season, while her teammate Kelsey Mitchell established another milestone by being the first Fever player to consistently score over 20 points in five consecutive matches. Their collaborative efforts led the team to a significant 84-80 win against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night in Indianapolis, snapping a 11-game losing streak against the Sun.
This win improved the Fever’s record to 15-16, a notable recovery considering they started the season at 1-8. Since June 10, they’ve shown remarkable improvement, recording the third-best performance in the league with a 12-6 record, only behind New York and Minnesota.
The Fever is now on the verge of securing their first playoff spot since 2016, a season they completed with a 17-17 record. This follows the WNBA’s transition last year to a 40-game season format.
After their loss, the Sun’s record moved to 22-8, marking their first defeat to the Fever since July 3, 2021. Fever coach Christie Sides praised her team’s resilience and growth, especially acknowledging the strong performance and experience of Connecticut as formidable opponents.
Mitchell, who was picked second overall in the 2018 draft, scored 23 points, totaling 128 points in her last five games as the team went 4-1. Clark’s outstanding performance continued with 19 points, five assists, and five rebounds, making her the first WNBA player to log six consecutive games achieving at least a 15-5-5 stat line. Her record-setting 88 3-pointers in 31 games surpassed the previous rookie record held by Rhyne Howard, who set it with 85 in 34 games.
Additionally, Clark expressed pride in her shooting capabilities, feeling confident about her offensive contributions. Despite a missed 3-point attempt that narrowly spun out, she remained positive about her overall shot selection during games.
Furthermore, Clark highlighted her synergy with Mitchell, appreciating Mitchell’s consistent performances and reliability. She emphasized the excitement of building their on-court relationship, especially after the Olympic break, and noted how unique it was for Mitchell to score so prolifically over consecutive games, comparing it to the achievements of franchise legend and Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.
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- Clark sets record, Mitchell nets 20-plus again to pace Fever (newsbreak.com)