In the 28-year history of the WNBA, no rookie player had ever recorded a triple-double. That, however, changed on Saturday, with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to do just that.
Clark’s history-making effort came in the Fever’s 83-78 victory over the New York Liberty. The former Iowa superstar tallied 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds as Indiana improved its record on the season to 9-13.
The 22-year-old Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double when she grabbed her 10th rebound with 7:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. The No. 1 pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft previously came within one rebound of recording the first triple-double of her career in the Fever’s victory over the Phoenix Mercury on June 30.
In addition to being the first triple-double recorded by a rookie in the history of the league, Clark’s triple-double marked the first in the 25-year history of the Fever franchise.
THERE IT IS 🌟
Caitlin Clark records the first triple-double by a rookie in WNBA History and the first triple-double in Indiana Fever history! pic.twitter.com/UrnnW1AwQP
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 6, 2024
Entering the league with unprecedented hype, Clark and fellow rookie Angel Reese have been as good as advertised — and then some — this season. While Clark is now the first rookie in league history to tally a triple-double, Reese has recorded a WNBA record 12 consecutive double-doubles while playing for the Chicago Sky.
Earlier this week, Clark and Reese were both named to the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, which will take place in Phoenix on July 20.
[WNBA]
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.