Indianapolis: Caitlin Clark achieves WNBA record in Fever victory

By Mason Reed — 18 July 2026 — 4 min read

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever made WNBA history on Friday night, becoming the first player in the league to record at least 40 points and 10 assists in a single game. Her performance, which included 45 points, 10 assists, and four steals, led the Fever to a 110-107 comeback victory against the visiting Seattle Storm. This marked her best professional game to date.

Clark’s achievement also placed her among an elite group as only the 10th player in WNBA history to achieve a 45-point game. Her 45 points also set a new record for the highest-scoring game by a point guard or any Indiana Fever player in franchise history. She contributed significantly to the Fever’s offense, shooting 6-for-10 from beyond the arc and 11-for-18 from the field. Additionally, she was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, converting 16-for-18 attempts.

Beyond her scoring and assists, Clark also reached another significant milestone during the game. She became the fastest player in WNBA history to accumulate 200 career three-pointers, achieving this in her 73rd career game. Her final steal of the game, taken from Seattle’s Flau’Jae Johnson with less than a minute remaining, helped secure the victory for the Fever.

Overcoming Challenges and Controversy

Clark’s record-breaking performance occurred amidst ongoing national discussions regarding her treatment within the league. The controversy has intensified in recent weeks, drawing attention to how Clark has been officiated and perceived by other players and the media. This discourse has sometimes involved discussions of race and sexuality.

In June, Clark was involved in an incident where she was struck in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas. Following this, Clark publicly stated that the WNBA needs to improve player protection and criticized the league’s officiating, calling Thomas’s action a clear flagrant foul. The controversy extended into the political sphere, with a group of 11 Republican lawmakers sending a letter to WNBA leadership, demanding accountability and better protection for Clark against physical attacks.

The league’s public relations faced further challenges when WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert canceled an interview on “The Dan Patrick Show.” This cancellation was publicized by Dan Patrick, who criticized her for avoiding questions about the ongoing issues surrounding Clark.

Clark herself reignited some of the controversy during a loss to Golden State on Wednesday night. She was seen confronting a referee after a foul was not called on a play that she claimed caused a leg contusion. This incident occurred as she was recovering from a back injury sustained in the same game where she received the punch to the throat. Despite playing limited minutes in her first three games back due to a strict minutes restriction, Clark appeared to be fully recovered during her historic Friday night game, playing less than 30 minutes.

Team Standings and Upcoming Game

Following their victory, the Indiana Fever improved their season record to 15-10. This places them in a tie with the Atlanta Dream for first place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Seattle Storm, conversely, fell to a record of 6-21 with the loss.

In an on-court interview after the game, Clark downplayed the historical significance of her individual performance, instead expressing concern about her team’s defensive play, which she described as “embarrassing” despite the win. She also revealed that she refused to be taken out of the game late, even with a minutes restriction due to her back injury. Clark told reporters, “I told Steph at halftime, like, I felt really good and I didn’t want to lose this game.” She added, “There’s no way I was ever coming out of the game in the fourth quarter. It didn’t matter. I would play with one leg.”

Clark reflected on overcoming struggles, stating, “I know all the time and the work that I put in, and people believe in me. And more than anything, I believe in myself.” She emphasized the need to persevere when things are not going well: “When it’s not going your way, nobody cares. Find a way to make it better and find a way to help your team win and make this team better.”

The Fever will continue their home stand, preparing to face the third-place New York Liberty in Indianapolis on Saturday night.

Source: foxnews.com

Mason Reed

Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.