Prior to the WNBA’s Olympic break, Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark had been playing about as much basketball as humanly possible.
Straight From College to The Pros
With the way the W’s schedule is constructed, regular season action typically begins in mid-May. Given how deep into March Madness Clark and her respective Iowa Hawkeyes advanced earlier this year, she was still playing fiercely competitive collegiate ball over the first week of April. One calendar turn later, she was making her highly anticipated professional debut.
But oh the joys of an Olympic year.
With basketball a staple in any summer Olympiad, the WNBA enacted a league-wide month-long sabbatical in order to give its athletes opportunities to represent their home countries in Paris. Clark — who was notably left off the USA Basketball Women’s National Team — took that time for a mental and physical reset.
A Welcomed Rejuvenation
Clark and the Fever resumed action on August 16 by defeating the Phoenix Mercury at home. Two days later, Clark erupted for 23 points and 9 assists in a win over the Seattle Storm. En route, she also broke the WNBA’s record for most assists in a rookie season.
That is all with about a dozen games left to play.
Still, Indiana is now preparing to come off another six days of rest. Their next game is on the road Saturday, August 24th at 8 p.m. ET (NBA TV) versus the Minnesota Lynx: current owner of the league’s third-best record.
With the Fever 2-0 and Clark averaging 26.0 points per game since the Olympic break, all signs point to a show this weekend in the Twin Cities.
Showdown In Minneapolis
The Lynx and Fever have met once previously in 2024, with that game also taking place at Target Center in Central Minneapolis’ buzzing North Loop. On July 14th, Indiana outlasted Minnesota on the road by a score of 81-74; Clark poured out a 17 and 6 performance to aid the victory.
The six-foot rookie from Des Moines has been cast into the national spotlight for the better part of four years now. Not only is Clark a gifted shooter and scorer, but she has the infectious playmaking ability required to elevate the play of those around her.
Presently, Clark paces the Fever in scoring (17.8 PPG), passing (8.3 APG) and perimeter defending (1.4 steals per game). From there, three of her teammates are also averaging double-digit bucket totals: Kelsey Mitchell (17.7 PPG), Aliyah Boston (14.0) and NaLyssa Smith (11.4).
Indiana enters this Saturday’s game with a 13-15 record, still striving to eclipse .500 for the first time in 2024. Having won four of their past five games, the Fever will challenge the Lynx with confidence. That’ll prove easier said than done, however, as Minnesota is looking for revenge from last month.
The Lynx are powered behind a talented scoring tandem in Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride.
Collier has produced 20.4 PPG this year, which is good for fourth amongst the W. Still, it is likely McBride that will draw direct matchups with Clark.
Lastly, Minnesota will be coming off of a back-to-back, as the Lynx host the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces on Friday night. For that bid, DraftKings Sportsbook lists Minnesota as a narrow home favorite over Vegas.
When it pertains to Saturday’s clash at Target Center, ESPN Analytics gives the Lynx a 75.8% chance to take down Clark and the Fever.
Stay tuned.