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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Guardian sport

Caitlin Clark makes WNBA history with first-ever rookie triple-double

Caitlin Clark recorded her triple-double in front of home fans at Indiana Fever’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Caitlin Clark recorded her triple-double in front of home fans at Indiana Fever’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Photograph: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Caitlin Clark set the latest in her long line of records on Saturday as she became the first ever WNBA rookie to notch a triple-double.

The Indiana Fever guard finished with 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds as her team beat the New York Liberty 83-78 thanks to a late comeback in which they went on an 11-0 run. Clark’s performance is even more impressive given the opposition: the Liberty have the best record in the WNBA this season and reached last year’s finals.

The Fever started the season in abysmal form but they, and Clark, have improved in recent weeks and have won six of their last 10 games.

“We’re definitely playing good basketball ... we’re playing together better,” Clark said. “But I think the biggest difference for us has been when teams make runs, we don’t crumble. We always believe we’re in the games.”

There was also a nice symmetry to Clark’s performance. The 22-year-old, who wears the No 22 jersey for the Fever, recorded her triple-double in her 22nd WNBA game. Triple doubles are tough to achieve in the WNBA, where games are 40 minutes compared to 48 in the NBA.

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