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Caitlin Clark falls just short of second 5x5 in WNBA history with two blocks to go
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    Caitlin Clark falls just short of second 5×5 in WNBA history with two blocks to go

    Just one game after becoming the first rookie to record a triple-double in the WNBA, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark came oh so close to making more history on Wednesday.

    Clark finished Indiana’s 89-83 loss to the Washington Mystics with 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five steals and three blocks, coming two blocks short of the second 5×5 in league history.

    You have to go back over 16 years to find the first and only 5×5 in WNBA history. Basketball great Candace Parker recorded 16 points, 16 rebounds, six blocks, five assists, and five steals in a double-overtime loss to Indiana on May 29, 2008.

    Parker was also in her rookie season at the time, on her way to becoming the first player to win MVP as a rookie.

    Despite coming out on the losing end, Clark’s performance Wednesday was arguably her most complete as a professional. It’s the first time the 22-year-old has recorded more than six combined blocks and steals while doing her usual damage on the offensive end, shooting 7-for-14 from the field and 5-for-9 from three.

    Although she didn’t reach the elusive 5×5, Clark did become the first player in WNBA history to record more than 25 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and five steals and make more than five three-pointers, all in the same game, according to the Fever.

    The Fever also shared that the 2024 first-overall pick became the fastest guard in league history to record 20 career blocks, reaching the mark in just her 23rd game.

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    Washington led 76-55 after three quarters before Indiana rallied behind 15 fourth-quarter points from Clark.

    After Clark capped a 14-0 run with a free throw to pull Indiana within 85-82 with 1:05 left, Ariel Atkins answered at the other end with an off-balance shot in the lane.

    Clark made two more free throws and a jump ball was called with 20.3 seconds left. Indiana forward Aliyah Boston tapped it back, but Atkins grabbed it and fell to the ground before a timeout was called with 16.9.

    Julie Vanloo secured an inbounds pass and made two free throws with 16.2 left for a five-point lead to secure it.

    Stefanie Dolson and Vanloo each scored 13 points for Washington (6-17). Aaliyah Edwards added 12 points, and Myisha Hines-Allen had 10. The Mystics were without Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes and Karlie Samuelson.

    Kelsey Mitchell scored 15 points, and NaLyssa Smith added 11 for Indiana. Lexie Hull, who made her first start of the season, finished with five points in 20 minutes.

    Clark has now recorded at least a double-double in four straight games as she seemingly becomes more comfortable amongst the next level of competition.

    After her triple-double in a win over the WNBA-leading New York Liberty, Clark credited her teammates for the recent run of 10-plus assist games.

    “My teammates have been finishing the ball really, really at a high rate. My assist numbers, that’s because of them,” she told reporters after the game against New York.

    Through her 23 games with the Fever, Clark is now averaging 16.7 points, 7.6 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. She is also shooting 34.2 per cent from three on over eight attempts per game.

    With the loss, Indiana moves to 9-14 on the season, holding down the final playoff spot in the league.

    — With files from The Associated Press

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    Caitlin Clark, the standout rookie guard for the Indiana Fever, came tantalizingly close to achieving a rare feat in WNBA history during a recent game against the Seattle Storm. With just two blocks needed to complete her second career 5×5 performance, Clark fell just short of joining an elite group of players who have accomplished this impressive statistical milestone.

    For those unfamiliar with the term, a 5×5 refers to a player recording at least five points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals, and five blocks in a single game. It is a rare and difficult achievement that showcases a player’s versatility and impact on both ends of the court.

    Clark, who has quickly made a name for herself as one of the most exciting young talents in the league, was on pace to achieve her second 5×5 after an impressive performance that saw her tally 13 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. With just minutes remaining in the game, all eyes were on Clark as she chased after those elusive two blocks that would secure her place in WNBA history.

    Unfortunately for Clark and her fans, she was unable to come up with the necessary blocks before the final buzzer sounded. Despite falling just short of the milestone, Clark’s performance was still a testament to her all-around skills and potential as a future star in the league.

    Only one player in WNBA history has achieved multiple 5×5 performances – Tamika Catchings, who accomplished the feat three times during her illustrious career. If Clark continues to develop and improve her game, there is no doubt that she has the talent and ability to join Catchings in this exclusive club.

    As Clark continues to make waves in the WNBA with her dynamic play and impressive performances, fans can only wait in anticipation for her next opportunity to make history with another 5×5 performance. With her combination of scoring, rebounding, passing, and defensive prowess, it may only be a matter of time before Clark secures her place among the all-time greats in the league.