Caitlin Clark, Fever best Angel Reese, Sky in most expensive WNBA game ever

Anthony Valmoria
Aug 31 2024

Two of the best and most popular rookies in recent WNBA memory provided basketball fans the most expensive game in WNBA’s history – and it did not disappoint. 

Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever bested rookie rebounding machine Angel Reese and her Chicago Sky 100-71 Friday night in Chicago.

Clark, this year’s top overall pick, stuffed the stat sheet yet again as she poured in a career-high 31 points on 8-14 FG, 5-9 3PT, 12 assists, and 4 rebounds. This is Clark’s 5th game this year with 20+ points and 10+ assists, which would be the most of such games in a single season in WNBA history. Clark also passed Ticha Penicheiro for the most 10+ assist games by a Rookie in WNBA history. But more importantly, the win pulled the Fever to a .500 record at 16-16 and currently the 6th seed in the tight race to the playoffs.

Reese on the other hand continued making history on her own by setting a new rookie record with 23 double-doubles, surpassing Tina Charles' previous record of 22 set in 2010. The 7th overall pick of this year’s draft had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. 

The game featured in what has been the highest get-in ticket game in the WNBA’s history – a whopping $863 average price. 

The game also may have effectively ended the Rookie of the Year race with how it has been pushed by the media considering each rookie’s stellar performances. Clark has been the all-around superstar Indiana has asked for as they have turned to a playoff team this year following a cellar-dwelling finish just a season ago. Reese on the other hand, has been putting up rebounding numbers never before seen from a rookie and even leads the league in rebounds overall, even grabbing more than reigning MVP and 6-foot-4 A’Ja Wilson herself.

Indiana’s win also assured the Fever won the season series against the Sky, 3-1, after four such blockbuster matchups this season.

However, it wasn’t just the rookies who made history in today’s slate of games – the best of the best did too. New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart surpassed Lauren Jackson (27) for 3rd most 30+ point games in WNBA history with her 28th 30-point game. Stewart had 32 points on an efficient 10-16 shooting with 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the Liberty’s 98-85 win against the Seattle Storm. 

Best player in the world A’Ja Wilson also had herself a night with a dominant 26-point, 16-rebound, 5-assist, and 5-block showing in the Las Vegas Aces’ win over the Atlanta Dream as they clinched their playoff spot. 

New York sits comfortably at the top of the standings at 27-6, while defending champions Las Vegas is currently at 4th with a 19-12 record.