Caitlin Clark broke more new ground on Friday night as she became the first WNBA player in history to amass at least 40 points and 10 assists in a single game.
The guard has been at the center of a political and sporting saga over recent weeks amid fury over her treatment from officials and her WNBA rivals.
On Friday, however, Clark made headlines with her basketball as she led the Indiana Fever to a 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm.
The 24-year-old scored a career-high 45 points and racked up 10 assists, four steals and two blocks. Her tally of 45 points was also a franchise record.
During Friday’s win, Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to make 200 career 3-pointers, doing it in 74 games, breaking the previous mark of 81 games set by Katie Smith.
‘It’s cool [but] I don’t really care,’ she said after making more history. ‘I know what I’m capable of and I know what this team is capable of and it’s my job to help us win and be the best team in the WNBA and I don’t think we’re there yet. So it’s my responsibility to help us get there – we’ll keep working.’
Caitlin Clark became the first WNBA player ever to amass 40 points and 10 assists in a game
On Friday night, Clark led the Indiana Fever to a 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm
Clark recently went berserk during the Fever’s game against the Golden State Valkyries
Fever star Clark was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas
The record-breaking display capped a remarkable few weeks for Clark, who has once again been embroiled in scandal.
It began after Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas struck Clark in the throat. That incident sparked outrage and reignited the debate about how the Fever star is treated by officials and other players.
Thomas was later suspended for one game and slapped with a Flagrant 2 penalty that carried a $1,000 fine.
Earlier this month, 11 Republican members of Congress wrote to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, demanding she take ‘accountability’ for the ‘multiple attacks’ on Clark.
The letter described Clark as ‘the face’ of the WNBA and credited her for increased fan interest, television ratings and corporate sponsorships.
The lawmakers also said the former No 1 overall pick has been on the receiving end of ‘unnecessary physical hostility and violence’ and expressed concerns that the ‘attacks’ against Clark ‘may be racially motivated.’
Since then, the Fever star has been floored by Las Vegas Aces player Chelsea Gray in an incident that was reviewed by referees for a ‘hostile act’.
Earlier this week, meanwhile, Clark lost her cool with referee Gerda Gartling during a game against the Golden State Valkyries.
‘I got kneed right in the quad. That hurts. The ref can’t miss that,’ Clark later fumed. ‘Then I had to play with a contusion in my leg the rest of the game. It was ridiculous. You can’t miss calls like that.’
