On3.com Caitlin Clark battles through illness, nearly does something no WNBA rookie has ever done 1 month ago

On the same day that fellow rookie Angel Reese set a WNBA record for the most consecutive double-doubles, Caitlin Clark came close to making history of her own—despite playing through illness.

In a crucial 88-82 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, Clark finished just one rebound shy of becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to achieve a triple-double. She recorded 15 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds.

After the game, coach Christie Sides revealed that Clark hadn’t been feeling well. “She wasn’t feeling great throughout the game, so she’s with our trainer right now,” Sides said.

Clark was substituted in the final minute as a defensive strategy, which cost her the chance to achieve the triple-double. However, with the pace she’s maintaining, it’s likely she’ll continue setting records in the future.

Clark has already been on a remarkable trajectory, becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 200 points, 75 rebounds, and 75 assists. Her performance has garnered attention from veterans across the league, including superstar Diana Taurasi, who faced Clark and the Indiana Fever in Sunday’s game.

“Even in her short WNBA career, she’s faced a lot of pressure and challenges, but she keeps showing up and improving every game. Her future is incredibly bright,” said Taurasi. “As a veteran who’s been in this league for a long time, it’s exciting to see what she’ll achieve in the future.”

In her first 19 WNBA games, Caitlin Clark is averaging 16.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. She has already logged four double-doubles, including three in the past five games. Her performance on Sunday, despite battling illness, was nothing short of impressive.

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