Caitlin Clark was named AP Player of the Week for the first time in her career

Indiana Feverandapos;s Caitlin Clark (22) reacts in front of Seattle Stormandapos;s...

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) reacts in front of Seattle Storm’s Skylar Diggins-Smith (4) during a WNBA gameAP

Caitlin Clark just secured herfirst Player of the Week award, a likely precursor to many more accolades in her career as the number one draft pick. Since the April Draft, which attracted 2.4 million viewers-the most in history-Clark’s rookie season has been nothing short of spectacular. She has shattered records, including becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double and setting the mark for most assists (19) in a single game. In two recent victories, both by more than 10 points, a feat the Fever hadn’t achieved all season, Clark has elevated her game even further, averaging 26 points and 9.2 assists per game.

Sue Bird knows ball

Sue Bird, who knows a thing or four about championships with four WNBA titles and the most seasons played in league history, has taken notice of Clark’s impact. Bird remarked in her podcast “A touch more”, “I won’t be surprised if as we start to get later into the playoff runs, we start to see teams tighten up, and you’re definitely gonna see it in the playoffs.”

Bird didn’t stop there. She praised the Indiana Fever, who have shown remarkable growth this season, improving their record to 13-15 the same victories they achieved last year. “What I see in Caitlin, what I see in Kelsey Mitchell, they’re just ramming it down people’s throats. It’s really hard, it can have your head spinning.” Her insight is telling, as Bird is the league’s all-time leader in assists-a record that Clark could very well surpass if she enjoys a career free of major injuries.

The Fever have tightened up their defense, allowing just 78.4 points per game, the third-best in the league. Bird emphasized the strength of the Fever’s roster, noting the contributions from key players like NaLyssa Smith, who is averaging 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and Aliyah Boston, who adds 14 points and 9 rebounds per game. LSU coach Kim Mulkey said something similar about Clark’s impact on the other players on her team.

Bird continued. This reflects the Fever’s offensive resurgence, with the team now averaging 82.1 points per game, a significant leap from last season’s 74.3 points. The team’s ability to combine strong offense with disciplined defense has made them a force to be reckoned with as the playoffs approach.

The Fever’s resurgence, led by Clark’s playmaking and supported by a well-rounded roster, has positioned them as a dark horse in the upcoming playoffs. With Clark who has recorded 11 games, including four consecutive, with 20+ points and 5+ assists. She also leads the league in assists (8.3) and ranks second in minutes played per game (35.2) with the Fever’s defense ranking among the top in the league, Bird’s caution about facing them in the playoffs is well-founded.