On Friday night, the top contenders for the Rookie of the Year award went head-to-head, with Caitlin Clark leading the Indiana Fever to a 100-81 victory over Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky.
Clark put on a stellar performance, scoring 31 points, dishing out 12 assists, and grabbing four rebounds, including five three-pointers. Her impressive display not only secured the win but also set two significant records: she surpassed Ticha Penicheiro for the most games with 10 or more assists by a rookie in WNBA history, now with nine such games, and became the first player ever in the league to achieve 23 or more points and 12 or more assists in a game.
Reese finished with 10 points and 11 boards, also setting two records for the most double-doubles by a rookie with 23 and the most rebounds by a rookie with 399.
Heading into the matchup, Caitlin Clark was already considered the front-runner for Rookie of the Year, and her performance only cemented that status as she outshined Angel Reese in a decisive win. Fans are now proclaiming the Rookie of the Year race as settled.
Clark is currently averaging an impressive 18 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, with her play elevating even further since returning from the Olympic break. Despite Reese’s strong season—13.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game—Clark’s recent performances have put her in a league of her own.
However, both players remain focused on their teams’ success rather than individual accolades. Before the game, Clark addressed the Rookie of the Year debate, stating, “I think Angel and I would both tell you the same thing. We don’t wake up thinking about individual awards. Our focus is on winning games. That’s what really matters.”
With the victory, the Indiana Fever have improved to 16-16 and are now tied with the Phoenix Mercury for sixth place in the WNBA standings. Meanwhile, the Chicago Sky, despite their loss, remain in playoff contention at eighth place with an 11-20 record.
