Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese (Photos via Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark continued her historic rookie season with a 29-point, 5-rebound, and 10-assist performance in her first game back since the Olympic break.

What everyone has been really talking about, though, is her decision not to use a stat pad and instead take the 24-second violation to burn time despite being one point away from a 30 and 10 game.

It was a move that showed a lot of maturity in Clark and sparked many comments about fellow rookie Chicago Sky Angel Reese.

“Wait, are you saying there’s a rookie out here that would’ve taken that shot in attempts to stat pad?” said one commenter.

“Hm, I wonder if there’s another rookie out there, if given an opportunity to stat pad to end a game with the game already decided? Nope. No one I can think of,” said another.

 

 

“Reece would have desperately tried to shoot it 2 to 3 times after rebounding her own misses,” said a third.

“And that is the difference……… Clark: Team First Reese: Reese First PERIOD, FACT!!!” continued a fourth.

This conversation is just one of the latest arguments surrounding the Rookie of the Year debate, which will likely be between Clark and Reese.

Caitlin Clark Makes WNBA History With Amazing Performance

Despite being just a rookie, Clark has already broken a major record in WNBA history.

She has become the first player to record at least 50 points and 25 assists in a two-game period with her 29-point, 10-assist game on Friday and her 24-point, 19-assist game on July 17.

“She’s getting comfortable for all those who were worried about how she started it’s always a matter of time for greatness it will come!” someone said.

“And to think she wouldn’t have helped the Olympic woman’s basketball team is mind boggling!” said another.

At this rate, Clark is becoming one of the most recognizable WNBA players ever.

Christie Sides and Caitlin Clark (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides has suggested that Caitlin Clark will be even better following her month-long break.

The WNBA is set to resume this week after pausing for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, with several stars returning home with gold.

Clark was shockingly left off the team, so she got to enjoy some downtime. The way Sides sees it, she will be a greater threat to defenses around the league now that she’s rested.

The Fever will play the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in a matchup pitting Clark against Diana Taurasi. And, speaking ahead of the fixture, Sides pointed out that the point guard hadn’t taken a real break from the court since she started her senior season with Iowa in 2023, although she had to make sure the All-Star rookie was staying off the court.

“The break for Caitlin… We gave them some great opportunities to get enough rest,” she told ‘Locked On Women’s Basketball.’

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“Now, she’s also a worker. I was always having to check in and make sure she was getting the rest that she needed. That’s just her mentality, which is why she is who she is… She needed to just get a break. A mental break, a physical break.” 

 

Christie Sides Put The WNBA On Caitlin Clark Notice

Christie Sides added that Caitlin Clark would be a different player coming out of the break as she needed mental and physical withdrawal from the game, something which should give her an edge for the remainder of the season.

“A month of rest for Caitlin Clark is exactly what she needed, and I think you’ll see a difference when we come out on Friday,” she remarked.

Clark’s rookie season has been far from perfect, but she’s still been amazing, averaging 17.1 points and 8.2 assists a game while inching toward the Rookie of the Year Award.

Should Sides be correct in her assessment, the WNBA might not be ready for a rested Caitlin Clark.