The Indiana Fever look like a new team since the WNBA’s Paris Olympics break, winning their second consecutive game after a 92–75 home victory over the Seattle Storm on Sunday.
Clark earned her 225th career assist in the second quarter of the game, passing Ticha Penicheiro’s 1998 record for the most assists by a rookie in WNBA history. (Although there are conflicting statistics on how many assists Penicheiro recorded for the record — the WNBA says 224, while ESPN says 225 — Clark passed the record regardless.)
“Ticha’s been a big fan of mine ever since I was in college and somebody that has always been right there to congratulate me or just be somebody that’s offered advice,” Clark said in a postgame interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “To pass somebody like her, I’m just forever thankful that she’s been such a legend in our game.”
The Fever posted a video from Penicheiro on social media after Clark broke the record.
“I was always mesmerized about your passing, your court vision and how you make your teammates better,” Penicheiro said. “So this record is in great hands and continue to do what you do, continue to elevate your game and the women’s game and the WNBA.”
In addition to her 23 points, the rookie standout ended with nine assists, five rebounds and two blocks. Clark leads the WNBA in assists, averaging 8.3 per game.
Both teams got off to a slow start, with a low-scoring first quarter ending with Seattle holding a 17-13 lead. But Indiana fought back in the second, retaking the lead in the final minutes of the half and holding on for a 35-34 lead heading into the locker room.
