Caitlin Clark breaks WNBA assists record to a chorus of boos as Valkyries spoil the milestone
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark broke another WNBA record Thursday night, but the milestone was met with a hostile crowd and a feisty opponent determined to ruin the team’s night.
Clark became the fastest player in league history to reach 500 career assists, reaching the mark in just 59 games and ranking atop the all-time assists per game rankings. The Fever star reached the milestone 23 matches faster than Sue Bird, who previously held the record with 82 matches.
Caitlin Clark broke another WNBA assist record, but the Valkyries blew that milestone with a hard-fought victory. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
This is no surprise, given Clark’s extraordinary vision.
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Unfortunately, that effort wasn’t enough to secure the victory as the Golden State Valkyries came away with a 90-88 victory at Chase Center. While Clark finished the game with 16 points and 6 rebounds, he struggled from the field and shot 3/12.
Golden State got him to the rim, forced key turnovers and answered every Indiana run to close out the two-point lead.
Caitlin Clark reached another historic milestone, but the Valkyries ruined the celebration with a hard-fought victory at home. (Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Tensions between the teams were exacerbated Thursday night by a recent rivalry that came to a head during the May 22 matchup.
In that game, Valkyrie guard Tiffany Hayes clashed with Clark and was later caught on a hot mic complaining about officials backing the Fever star.
Clark downplayed the ongoing tension after Thursday’s game.
“I don’t have any bad blood with any player in this league, it’s just like, it’s just competitive fire, it’s competitive fire,” Clark said.
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Hayes openly grumbled about what he saw as a double standard in Clark’s appointment.
The Valkyries’ guardian also came under heavy criticism after interacting with hostile social media posts targeting Clark; this included a post in which she laughed at a fan who suggested a physical threat against her.
Caitlin Clark made WNBA history once again, but Golden State’s relentless defense and hostile crowd ensured a narrow victory. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Clark’s fans have demanded disciplinary action from a league office that critics say routinely looks the other way when tensions over Clark escalate. Regardless, the Bay Area crowd booed Clark nearly every time he touched the ball in the rematch, underscoring how his stardom had made him Public Enemy No. 1 among rival fan bases.
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The Valkyries savored victory by making it rain on Clark’s parade, but she has plenty of records left to break.
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