ESPN
Aug 15, 2024, 11:53 PM ET
The WNBA is back after a monthlong break for the Olympics. All eyes are on the playoff push with five weeks remaining in the regular season.
But the most anticipated draft class in league history also continues to draw attention. Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in April, hopes to lead the Indiana Fever back to the postseason for the first time since 2016. And Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso hope to lead their Chicago Sky to the playoffs as well.
Clark and Reese have already etched their names into the record books this season. Clark set the WNBA single-game record with 19 assists, and she is the first rookie in league history to tally a triple-double. Reese set a WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles (15).
We'll continue to track the top rookie performances every game day throughout the season.
Last updated: Aug. 15
Diana Taurasi rejected by Angel Reese
Diana Taurasi is rejected in the paint by Sky rookie Angel Reese.
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Reese compiled her league-leading 18th double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points (4-for-14 shooting from field, 3-for-8 from the free throw line) and 15 rebounds (8 offensive). But the Sky suffered a 85-65 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, their worst defeat of the season. With 15 regular-season games left, Reese looks poised to break the rookie record for double-doubles (Tina Charles had 22 in 2010).
What we learned: It was a forgettable start to the second half for the Sky, who were outscored 30-12 at the end of the first frame -- their worst point differential in any quarter since June 2022 -- and couldn't make up the gap.
With Chennedy Carter sidelined because of illness and Marina Mabrey traded to Connecticut, Chicago's offense stalled for most of the game, managing a 37% clip from the field and 21.1% from 3. With Mabrey gone, the Sky coaching staff needs to find ways fast to help Reese (and Kamilla Cardoso) get going down low if Chicago is to maintain its grasp on a playoff spot. -- Alexa Philippou
Up next: at Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday (5 p.m. ET)
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Center | 6-foot-7 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Cardoso finished with 10 points (5-for-8 shooting), joining Reese and Dana Evans (14 points) as the only Chicago players to reach double figures. She also pulled down five rebounds.
What we learned: While the Chicago bigs had quiet nights offensively, Phoenix's Brittney Griner did not. The three-time Olympian, fresh off a gold medal run in Paris, put up 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting, to go along with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks. It's the sort of performance coach Teresa Weatherspoon will hope her young posts in Cardoso and Reese can learn from. -- Philippou
Up next: at Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday (5 p.m. ET)
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Jackson finished with 13 points (6-for-14 shooting, 1-for-3 from 3) in the Sparks' 103-68 thrashing at the hands of the first-place New York Liberty. It was the first game in which Jackson didn't record a rebound this season and was also one of her higher turnover outings (4), and it was a rough night overall for Los Angeles, which experienced its worst defeat since July 2022.
What we learned: Having to face the best team in the league, one featuring a slew of Olympians who didn't have to shake off any rust from a monthlong break, was a tough draw for the Sparks in their first game back. But they don't have much time to dwell on Thursday's rout with a hungry Chicago team, hoping to rediscover its footing after a blowout loss to Phoenix, heading to town Saturday. -- Philippou
Up next: vs. Chicago Sky on Saturday (5 p.m. ET)
— espnW (@espnW) August 16, 2024"I'm a perfectionist, so I want to be great as quickly as possible." 🔥
Rickea Jackson spoke to @Andraya_Carter and @LaChinaRobinson on lessons from her rookie season and bonding with her teammate Cameron Brink 🌟 pic.twitter.com/JDDnd963jc
What to expect from Caitlin Clark for the rest of the season
WNBA analyst Rebecca Lobo joins "SportsCenter" to discuss what she expects from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark in the second half of the WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Guard | 6-foot | Game log | Stats | Watch: First-half recap
Last time out: Clark had a quiet scoring night (4 points on 2-for-9 shooting, 0-for-7 on 3-pointers) in the WNBA All-Star Game but shined in historic fashion as a facilitator, similar to some of the regular-season games we've seen from her of late. Clark's 10 assists were the most by a rookie in the All-Star Game. The tally also was one shy of tying Sue Bird's All-Star Game record, but the Fever standout said she was OK with falling short of the mark. "That's Sue's record," Clark said. "I can't take that from her. That's my homie."
What we learned: Clark is often one who puts together a 30-piece. But Saturday, the No. 1 draft pick clearly enjoyed watching Arike Ogunbowale -- whom she called the best one-on-one player in the league -- go off for an All-Star Game-record 34 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the arc. "It's so fun," Clark said. "I haven't always been on that side of it where you have a teammate that goes kind of crazy like that."
Clark said at one point she was supposed to be subbed in for Ogunbowale, but Clark wanted to stay on the bench to let the Dallas Wings guard do her thing.
Now Clark is thrilled to make it to the Olympic break. She burst into the postgame news conference room Saturday night exclaiming, "I'm on vacation!" The rookie declined to share where she's traveling to but said she's excited to take a little bit of time away from basketball before preparing for the second half of the regular season. -- Alexa Philippou
Up next: vs. Phoenix Mercury on Aug. 16 (7:30 p.m. ET, ION)
