Clark Milestone, Triple-Double Lead Playoff-Bound Fever Past Sparks

Clark Milestone, Triple-Double Lead Playoff-Bound Fever Past Sparks
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever smiles after grabbing her 10th rebound in the closing seconds against the Los Angeles Sparks to secure her second career triple-double in Indianapolis on Sept. 4, 2024. Michael Conroy/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:
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INDIANAPOLIS—Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for her second career triple-double as the playoff-bound Indiana Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 93–86 on Wednesday night.

Clark connected on her second 3 of the game and 100th of the season midway through the third quarter and added two more to reach 102 and finish 4 of 10 from long range. The No. 1 overall draft pick is the first WNBA rookie ever with 100 3s.

She also became the first rookie and fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles in a season, joining Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams, Sabrina Ionescu, and Candace Parker.

Aliyah Boston had 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Fever (18–16), who secured a playoff spot Monday night when Atlanta and Chicago lost. Indiana has won five straight for the first time since 2015 and is 10–1 at home since June 1.

Clark made two free throws with 16.4 seconds left for a seven-point lead. Kia Nurse was long on a 3-pointer at the other end and Clark grabbed the rebound to complete the triple-double.

“Of course I knew, but honestly, like, we were just trying to get stops,” Clark said in a courtside interview.

Clark also made a key defensive play when she poked a pass away in the paint and found Boston for a layup and a 91–84 lead with 25.2 seconds left.

Kelsey Mitchell added 18 points for Indiana, coming two points shy of her eighth straight 20-point game. NaLyssa Smith scored 13 points.

Odyssey Sims led Los Angeles (7–26) with 20 points. Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell each scored 16, and Azura Stevens had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Sparks have lost five in a row on the road and 15 of 17 away from home this season.