WNBA 2024 rookie tracker: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, extra

The 2024 WNBA draft class was one of the vital anticipated teams of rookies in league historical past.

And now they’re etching their names within the historical past books.

On Sunday, Angel Reese recorded her thirteenth consecutive double-double, a brand new league file.

On Saturday, Caitlin Clark turned the primary rookie within the WNBA to tally a triple-double. April’s No. 1 draft choose had 19 factors, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to assist the Indiana Fever full a fourth-quarter comeback and beat the New York Liberty 83-78.

We’re monitoring performances from high rookies each sport day this season. Gamers shall be added or subtracted primarily based on efficiency and damage.

Final up to date: July 10

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Caitlin Clark dazzles with behind-the-back dime

Caitlin Clark connects with NaLyssa Smith on the fast-break likelihood with a phenomenal behind-the-back help in opposition to the Mystics.

Guard | 6-foot | Recreation log | Stats

Final outing: It was a irritating loss for the Fever, however one other huge sport for Clark.

She had 29 factors, 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and three blocks in an 89-84 loss to Washington. The Fever had been down by 21 coming into the fourth quarter, however almost climbed all the way in which again. They outscored the Mystics 29-13 within the closing interval and received as shut as 3 factors within the final minute.

But it surely was simply too huge a gap for Indiana to climb out of. Coming off a win over New York Liberty during which she turned the primary WNBA rookie to get a triple-double, Clark’s stat line Wednesday was uncommon. She is the second participant in WNBA historical past to have no less than 25 factors/10 assists/5 rebounds/5 steals in a sport; Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas did it final season. Clark can be simply the second participant to steer a workforce outright in factors, assists, steals and blocks in a sport; the opposite was Houston’s Cynthia Cooper in 2000.

Clark was 7 of 14 from the sector and 10 of 11 from the free throw line whereas enjoying 38 minutes. She has 175 assists on the season and is the primary rookie to have 4 consecutive video games with no less than 10 assists.

What we discovered: The Fever feared a letdown after the large win over New York on Saturday, and that is what occurred. Additionally they had a beginning lineup change, as Lexie Hull changed NaLyssa Smith. Smith was coming off three consecutive video games during which she had double-digit rebounds.

“That was a coach’s resolution and I am simply going to depart it at that,” Indiana’s Christie Sides stated.

Smith nonetheless performed 27 minutes and completed with 11 factors however had simply 2 rebounds. The Fever trailed 51-37 at halftime and received simply 2 offensive rebounds your entire sport, whereas being outrebounded 31-29 total. Foul bother restricted Aliyah Boston to 21 minutes and simply 6 factors.

“We positively began sluggish, and that is sort of what killed us,” Clark stated. “Our fourth quarter was nice, however you possibly can’t play one quarter of basketball and anticipate to win on this league. We have gotta discover a method to come out and have extra vitality. We all know we generally is a lot higher.”

On the lineup change, Clark added, “Irrespective of who’s on the court docket, you must compete as exhausting as you possibly can each single second. I believe all of us do this. I simply suppose collectively we might have labored a little bit higher collectively from a defensive schematical perspective.” — Michael Voepel

Up subsequent: vs. Phoenix Mercury on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET, ION)

Ahead | 6-foot-3 | Recreation log | Stats

Final outing: It won’t have been the consequence Reese wished, however she made historical past within the Sky’s 84-71 loss to Seattle on Sunday, recording a WNBA-record thirteenth consecutive double-double. The previous LSU star surpassed Candace Parker, who had set the file with 12 double-doubles throughout the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

“It is completely wonderful to see,” coach Teresa Weatherspoon stated of Reese’s feat. “She is likely to be shocking herself, however she’s not shocking me. It is one thing that she will do as a result of it is one thing that she places the work in to have the ability to do. And it is a will and want-to … it is superior to see the work that you must put in to have the ability to do that.”

Reese additionally reached 275 factors, 225 rebounds and 30 steals in 20 video games, the second-fastest participant to achieve these marks. Solely Yolanda Griffith in 1999 did it in fewer appearances (19).

What we discovered: Reese tried her finest to climate the Storm within the second half. However between the Sky’s offense going chilly and their protection not maintaining, Chicago could not maintain on to its first-half benefit. Reese and Chennedy Carter mixed for 20 of the Sky’s 32 second-half factors, not getting sufficient assist to beat a 54% taking pictures clip from Seattle throughout the sport’s closing 20 minutes.

Of observe: Chicago, the highest paint-scoring workforce within the league, is now 1-8 when permitting no less than 40 factors within the paint this season. — Alexa Philippou

Up subsequent: vs. Atlanta Dream on Wednesday (midday ET)

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Why McNutt is backing Reese over Clark in Rookie of the Yr race

Monica McNutt breaks down why Angel Reese could be her WNBA Rookie of the Yr over Caitlin Clark.

Ahead | 6-foot-2 | Recreation log | Stats

Final outing: Tuesday, Jackson was held to single digits scoring – 6 factors – for the primary time since June 22. She was 3 of 8 from the sector with 1 rebound in 24 minutes of court docket time within the Sparks’ 82-67 loss to visiting Minnesota. Jackson was coming off a season-high 22 factors Sunday in opposition to Phoenix. Consistency is likely one of the hardest components of adjusting to the WNBA for rookies, however Jackson wasn’t alone in struggling in opposition to the Lynx. The one Sparks participant who scored in double figures was veteran ahead Dearica Hamby with 18 factors. It was Los Angeles’ second-lowest level complete this season; the bottom was 62 on June 5, additionally in a loss to the Lynx. Minnesota leads the WNBA in defensive ranking.

What we discovered: From June 9 to July 9, the Sparks went 2-10. Each victories got here in opposition to the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Los Angeles, Dallas and Washington are all tied now for final place within the WNBA at 5-17. The Sparks have two video games left earlier than the All-Star/Olympic break. – Michael Voepel

Up subsequent: Dallas Wings on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)

Middle | 6-foot-7 | Recreation log | Stats

Final outing: Cardoso completed with 6 factors (3-for-7 taking pictures), 8 rebounds and 4 blocks (a profession excessive) in 20 minutes in Chicago’s 84-71 loss to Seattle. It was the fewest minutes Cardoso has performed because the first week of June, when she was nonetheless getting back from a shoulder damage.

What we discovered: Cardoso dominated early with three blocks and all eight of her rebounds within the first quarter however was much less impactful as the sport went on. With Seattle happening a giant run to erase Chicago’s eight-point halftime lead and bounce forward by 5, the previous South Carolina standout checked out with 4:25 left within the pivotal third quarter — the place the Sky had been outscored 20-12 within the paint (29-14 total) and despatched the Storm to the foul line eight occasions. Cardoso by no means returned, with veteran Isabelle Harrison (11 factors, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks) ending the sport for Chicago.

“She’s effective,” coach Teresa Weatherspoon stated of Cardoso. “[We] simply gave her a second and Izzy was enjoying pretty properly for us and that is it.” — Philippou

Up subsequent: vs. Atlanta Dream on Wednesday (midday ET)

Ahead | 6-foot-3 | Recreation log | Stats

Final outing: Edwards had 10 factors and a couple of rebounds Saturday because the injury- and illness-riddled Mystics fell 74-67 at Minnesota. She was 4 of 6 from the sector whereas coming off the bench and enjoying 21 minutes.

It was Edwards’ first double-digit scoring sport since she had 16 factors in a June 14 victory over Chicago. She missed three video games in late June with a again damage.

What we discovered: The Mystics had 9 obtainable gamers Saturday, however they hung with the Lynx, who had been with out star Napheesa Collier, who’s out with a foot damage. The rating was tied at 36 at halftime, and Washington led by two going into the fourth quarter. However the Lynx outscored the Mystics 19-10 within the closing interval, dropping Washington to 5-17. — Voepel

Up subsequent: at Indiana Fever on Wednesday (midday ET, NBA TV)