Caitlin Clark becomes first WNBA rookie to record triple-double as Indiana Fever triumph over New York Liberty

Caitlin Clark has enjoyed a sensational first season in the WNBA, and it got even better in the Indiana Fever's 83-78 victory against the New York Liberty. Clark finished the clash with 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds as the Fever battled back from behind to record their ninth win of the season. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx overpowered the Washington Mystics without Napheesa Collier.

Clark stars for Fever in win over Mystics

Video credit: TNT Sports

Caitlin Clark became the first WNBA rookie in history to record a triple-double as the Indiana Fever stormed to an 83-78 triumph over the New York Liberty.

Clark registered 19 points, 12 rebounds and matched her season's best for assists with 13 to help the Fever overcome a seven-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter.

She was her side's top scorer, but Sabrina Ionescu left her mark on the game with 22 points for the Liberty.

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However, the day belonged to Clark and the Fever, and she praised her team-mates for making their shots.

"I'm just happy we won," she said. "I take a lot of pride in being able to do a lot of different things for this team.

"Obviously 13 assists, that means my team-mates made 13 shots off my passes, so that goes to them."

WNBA games are eight minutes shorter than in NBA, making a triple-double an even rarer occurrence.

The result means the Fever are now 9-13 for the season ahead of next week's clash with the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Liberty remain top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 17-4 ahead of a trip to the Mohegan Sun Arena to face the Connecticut Sun.

Clark was a whisker away from becoming the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double earlier this season.

She was one rebound away from the achievement in the Fever's win over the Phoenix Mercury last month.

No Collier no problem as Lynx overpower Mystics

The Minnesota Lynx survived the absence of three-time WNBA All-Star Napheesa Collier after claiming a 74-67 win over the Washington Mystics.

Collier’s importance to the Lynx cannot be understated, with no player in the team managing more than her averages of 20 points and 10.2 rebounds.

Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride stepped up in her absence by taking 17 points each, while Bridget Carleton and Cecilia Zandalasini added 13 and 10 points respectively.

Washington were led on the night by the 15-point hauls of Ariel Atkins and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, with the latter taking four 3-pointers.

Courtney Williams

Image credit: Getty Images

Myisha Hines-Allen and Aaliyah Edwards also made telling contributions, with the former taking 11 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while the latter took 10.

It was a sobering night for the Mystics, who have now succumbed to four defeats in their last five games.

The damning statistics do not end there for Washington, who have now only won five of their 22 WNBA games - the joint-fewest total along with the Los Angeles Sparks and the Dallas Wings.

It looked like it could have been a different story when Walker-Kimbrough scored two 3-pointers separated by a mere 25 seconds in a 13-2 run for Washington.

This moved them to within three points of the Lynx at 32-29, while two baskets from Hines-Allen ensured the two teams were level at 36-36.

It looked like Washington were set for a much-needed win after going on a seven-point run without reply when Walker-Kimbrough assisted Stefanie Dolson for a jump shot to give them a 43-36 lead in the third quarter.

It looked like the tide of the game was turning back in Minnesota's favour when Carleton's 3-pointer moved them level at 47-47, before Zandalasini added one of her own to reclaim the Lynx's lead at 47-50.

Washington hung in, as Melbourne's two free throws moved them back in front at 57-55.

A Williams jump shot ensured Minnesota eventually pulled clear at 62-60, and McBride rounded off the scoring with the second of her two free throws to leave the final score at 74-67.

The Lynx will be aiming to continue that winning momentum away at the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night, while the Mystics play the Indiana Fever on Wednesday.

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