The most anticipated WNBA draft class in league history made its mark on 2024. But after helping to lead the Indiana Fever to its first playoff appearance since 2016, Caitlin Clark's record-breaking season came to an end Wednesday.
The Connecticut Sun swept Clark and the Fever in the first round, but not before the guard became the first rookie in WNBA postseason history with at least 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in Wednesday's 87-81 loss.
Clark -- who also set the WNBA single-season and single-game marks for assists -- wasn't the only rookie to etch her name in the record book. Angel Reese, who sat out the final few games of the regular season because of an injury, set a WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles (15).
We take one final look at the No. 1 draft pick and her impact on the season.
Final update: Sept. 25
Caitlin Clark finishes a tough midrange jumper to cut into the Sun's third-quarter lead.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Guard | 6-foot | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Clark admitted she was a tough grader, when asked to assess her WNBA rookie season, which ended Wednesday with an 87-81 loss to the Connecticut Sun.
"I feel like I had a solid year," she said after the game. "But for me, the fun part is I feel like I'm just scratching the surface. I'm one that's nit-picking every single thing I do. And I know I want to help this franchise get even better, help my teammates get even better, be better for my teammates. I know there's a lot of room for me to continue to improve, so that's what excites me the most."
Clark had 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and only 3 turnovers Wednesday. She is the first rookie to total at least 25 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds in a playoff game.
That followed her playoff opening performance in Sunday's 93-69 loss: 11 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers. In the two games, Clark was a combined 14 of 40 from the field, 5 of 25 from 3-point range.
Clark said in the postgame news conference Wednesday that she felt good physically and wasn't tired. After playing all 40 minutes, she joked she could have played another 40. But the 3-point shooting numbers might tell a different story: Her legs might have been a little weary, resulting in her shot being short at times in this series. It's understandable. Clark had some time off for the Olympic break, but she has been going hard for nearly a year.
Counting exhibition, regular-season and postseason games between college and the WNBA, Clark has played 85 games since the "Crossover at Kinnick" exhibition at Iowa's football stadium on Oct. 15. She did not sit out any games with either Iowa or the Fever.
As an Iowa senior, she had 1,234 points, 346 assists and 287 rebounds while making 201 3-pointers. In her rookie season with the Fever, she had 769 points, 227 assists, 337 rebounds and made 122 3-pointers.
She became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double (in fact, she had two) and set the rookie season scoring record while getting the overall season assist record. She led the WNBA this season in assists and 3-pointers.
What Clark did individually was great, but she also achieved exactly what a point guard hopes to do: She made her team better. The Fever's goal was to make the postseason, and Clark was instrumental in helping them do that.
Her affect on WNBA attendance was unprecedented both in Indianapolis and on the road. And the "Caitlin Clark effect" is still at work at Iowa: The Hawkeyes announced Wednesday they had again sold out their women's basketball season tickets for 2024-2025. Clark won't be playing, but interest in women's basketball is still going strong in Iowa City.
What we learned: Both Clark and Kelsey Mitchell finished the regular season averaging 19.2 points, and they were one of the best backcourts in the WNBA this season. They had a tough playoff matchup against a team as good defensively as the Sun. But if this duo stays together -- Mitchell is a free agent -- they could be even better next season.
The fact Clark had only five turnovers in the two playoff games was notable, as she averaged 5.6 during the regular season. For someone who handles the ball as much as Clark does, a certain amount of turnovers is inevitable. Considering what she said about things she wants to improve, you can assume cutting down turnovers a bit will be on the agenda. -- Michael Voepel