Caitlin Clark recently recorded her career-high in the WNBA with 31 points during the Indiana Fever’s win over the Chicago Sky on Aug. 30.

Clark is a capable scorer but she’s also a playmaker, currently leading the league in assists per game. But can the Iowa product become the first player to score 60 points in a WNBA game?

The record for most points in a single game in WNBA history is 53 points, shared by A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage. Wilson dropped 53 points on Aug. 22 last year against the Atlanta Dream. Cambage set the record on July 17, 2018, in the Dallas Wings’ win over the New York Liberty.

Clark has all the tools to become the first player to score 60 points in a game, granted that Wilson won’t do it this season with seven games left before the playoffs. Let’s look at five reasons why CC could record the first-ever 60-point performance in WNBA history.

5 reasons why Caitlin Clark can become the first player in WNBA history to score 60 points in a game

#1 – Caitlin Clark is a natural scorer

The 22-year-old guard is a gifted scorer who can shoot from beyond the arc, drive to the basket and draw fouls. Caitlin Clark can also get hot anytime and just make basket after basket until she scores 60 points.

Clark is the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer with 3,951 points, breaking Pete Maravich’s record earlier this year. She exploded for 49 points on the day she broke the NCAAW record, which was her collegiate career-high.

#2 – Her 3-point shooting

The most lethal weapon in Caitlin Clark’s arsenal is her 3-point shooting. She has been compared to Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors because of their similar games. Clark can pull up from anywhere inside the half and her quick trigger is almost Curry-like.

If Clark can get hot in a game, she can easily break the WNBA scoring record with ease. It might need to be a near-perfect performance for the Indiana Fever star, but if anyone can do it, it’s her.

#3 – Competitive as MJ, Kobe and Steph

One of the things that separates the greatest players of all time from their contemporaries is competitiveness.

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Steph Curry possessed insane levels of fire and competitiveness during their careers that made them great.

The same can be said for Clark, who could one day look at the scoring record and challenge herself. Here’s what the Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides said about her star player’s competitive fire:

“When you talk about greats in this game, the Michael Jordan’s and the Kobe Bryant’s and the Steph Curry’s, they are putting her in that category. She has that level of competitiveness in her and she wants everyone on her team to have that, and she has given that and it has infused several of our players to have more of that competitive spirit,” Sides said.

#4 – Better teammates

The Indiana Fever are one of the hottest teams in the WNBA since the season restarted after the Olympics break. They are 6-1 and have officially clinched a spot in the 2024 playoffs. Caitlin Clark has lifted her teammates and their chemistry has been off the charts since July.

Once her teammates continue to build that chemistry and become better, Clark will have an even bigger shot at scoring 60 points. Her teammates being capable scorers will make things easier for the lethal scorer, opening up spaces in and outside the arc.

#5 – Adaptability

There were some questions about Caitlin Clark possibly struggling in her rookie season and she did early in the campaign. Players were physical with her and it took her some time before she adjusted her game. She’s now more comfortable and has taken over at times.

Clark’s quick adaptability to the WNBA will be key in her becoming the first player in league history to score 60 points. Defenses are likely to make more adjustments just to stop her in the coming years, but she’s expected to overcome them and dominate.