Caitlin Clark Increases WNBA MVP Chance with Triple-Double

She still has a long way to go before she catches up with Russell Westbrook (199), Oscar Robertson (181) or Magic Johnson (138) in the triple-double category, but Caitlin Clark came a step closer to winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award with her second career triple-double as a pro. And maybe, just maybe, MVP.

In the Indiana Fever’s 93-86 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night, Clark scored 24 points, had 10 assists and 10 rebounds, with her 10th rebound coming seconds before the end of the game.

The first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double, Clark became just the fifth player in league history to record multiple triple-doubles in a single season, joining Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams, Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker. (Clark recorded 17 triple-doubles in her collegiate career, all with Iowa.)

In putting together her triple-double, Clark, who received a boost from Charles Barkley yesterday, hit her 100th 3-pointer of the year and became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 threes in a season. Clark’s 100th long-range shot came in the third quarter, and she added two more to finish the season with 4 of 10 from long range and 102 for the season.

With the Fever riding a five-game winning streak and Indiana already assured of a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2016, Clark is playing his best game of the season when it matters most, and he’s increasing his chances of winning the award with every appearance.

“She’s getting a little better with every game,” said Fever coach Christie Sides, who was named WNBA Coach of the Month on Wednesday. “She’s getting a little more (aware) of her speed and agility with every game. I love talking to her about the game. She’s playing really well. … She had some incredible assists tonight.”

Will ROY and MVP voters feel the same? If LeBron James had a vote, Clark would get it.

Clark would also receive Stephen A. Smith’s vote, as the popular ESPN host defended her during a talk about First take.

“Caitlin Clark is going to win Rookie of the Year,” he said. “Caitlin Clark is in the conversation — she won’t win because A’ja Wilson is there. But Caitlin Clark is in the conversation for MVP of the league. I don’t know if you already know this, but she’s in the conversation — MVP of the league as a rookie.”

Considering what Clark accomplished as a rookie, the 22-year-old phenom may have a chance to win MVP honors.