Caitlin Clark toyed with the Chicago Sky - and their fans - during the Indiana Fever’s latest blowout win on the road.
On Friday, Clark clearly appeared to be in her own element during the Fever’s 100-81 rout of the Sky despite playing in “enemy territory.” Before long, the star rookie turned the sold-out crowd at Wintrust Arena in her favor, making the Chicago home game feel like it was being played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana.
With two minutes, 30 seconds left in the first half, Clark drove to the basket and was fouled while finishing at the rim. After watching the ball sink through the net behind her, she turned to Chicago fans sitting courtside and hilariously asked, "Did that go in, did that go in?" before heading to the line for a free throw.
Then in the fourth quarter, Clark drained a pair of free throws after Sky guard Diamond DeShields was issued a flagrant 1 foul for running her over at midcourt. As the 22-year-old made her way to the bench after being subbed out of the blowout, she began waving her hands up and down to hype up the crowd - prompting a fervent response from Fever fans in attendance.
When one commentator on the broadcast marveled at the positive “salute” Clark received in “enemy territory” while trotting off the court, the other interjected: "Is this enemy territory? I've seen a lot of Caitlin Clark jerseys in downtown Chicago today."
Taking to social media, fans online swiftly shared their thoughts on Clark’s gesture. “Is it Chicago or Indy in there?? CC wins the hearts of the fans once again,” one X user wrote, with another adding: “Did she just get the opposing crowd to cheer for her…?”
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Clark finished the contest with 12 assists, four rebounds and a career-high 31 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. After recording double-digit assists, she broke the record for the most games by a rookie with over 20 points and 10 assists (9). Ticha Penicheiro was the previous record-holder after recording eight during the 1998 season.
With the dominant showing, Clark moved one step closer to being crowned the WNBA Rookie of the Year. Her main competition for the accolade, Angel Reese , did not fare as well on Friday night, recording just 10 points, 11 rebounds and two assists on 4-of-9 shooting in the contest.
Despite her team’s loss, Reese still managed to make history. The Sky forward recorded the most double-doubles by a rookie in WNBA history with her latest performance (23), surpassing Tina Charles, who set the record in 2010 with 22.
Thanks to Friday’s win, the Fever have clawed their way back to .500 with a 16-16 record, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference. Clark and Co. will next face off against the Dallas Wings on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.
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