WNBA rookie tracker: Clark held to 9 points as Fever fall to 0-2
The 2024 WNBA season is off and running for one of the most anticipated rookie classes in league history. With the WNBA at a tipping point, all eyes are on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in April’s draft and the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.
But the rookie class is loaded with potential future stars. In addition to Clark, forwards Cameron Brink, the No. 2 draft pick with the Los Angeles Sparks, and Angel Reese, the No. 7 pick to the Chicago Sky, were among the rookies in starting lineups Tuesday and Wednesday as the season opened.
How did the top rookies perform in their pro debuts? We’ll track their performances every time they take the court, so check back every game day.
Looking for center Kamilla Cardoso? She’s sidelined with a shoulder injury suffered in early May. When she returns, we’ll add the Sky’s No. 3 pick — and other rookies as the season progresses.
Last updated: May 16
Guard | 6-foot-0 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: In her home opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Clark had 9 points, 6 assists and 7 rebounds in 30 minutes Thursday. The Fever lost 102-66 to the New York Liberty, last year’s runner-up in the WNBA Finals. Clark had only one game in her Iowa college career in which she failed to score in double figures; she had eight points against Northwestern in her freshman season in January 2021.
Clark had two points in the first quarter and seven in the third period Thursday. For the game, she was 2-of-8 from the field — 1-of-7 from 3-point range — and 4-of-4 from the foul line. After 10 turnovers in her pro debut at Connecticut on Tuesday, Clark had three against the Liberty.
What stood out: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was one of five primary defenders the Liberty sent against Clark, and she set the tone. The rookie scored seven of her points against Leonie Fiebich. Clark was 1-of-7 against other the Liberty defenders.
“It’s a process, and she’s going to be fine,” Fever coach Christie Sides said of Clark. “She just needs to get a little bit of confidence right now. Betnijah Laney is one of the best defenders in the league.”
The Fever’s defense was porous, but they were facing a powerhouse team. Still, they allowed the Liberty 78 shots while taking just 60. It was a similar disparity against the Sun, and Indiana has been outscored in its first two games by 57 points. That’s the largest deficit ever by a WNBA team over its first two games of a season. — Michael Voepel
Up next: at New York Liberty on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Reese had 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in her debut Wednesday for the Sky, who lost 87-79 at Dallas. Reese’s eight rebounds (including five offensive boards) tied with Elena Delle Donne and Diamond DeShields for the most by a Sky rookie in her debut game.
Reese was 5-for-14 from the field but was going against a tough tandem inside: Natasha Howard, the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and 6-7 Teaira McCowan. Those two combined for 33 points and 26 rebounds.
What stood out: Reese played 26 minutes in her first game, as she and all the Sky’s starters scored in double figures. The Sky led the Wings by four points with 5 minutes left. But Dallas went on a 18-6 run to close it out, going 8-of-8 from the floor in that stretch. Reese prides herself on defense, and in the opener she saw how tough it can be to slow down an offense like Dallas when it gets on a roll.
Reese and the Sky can immediately put what they learned Wednesday to use, as they have a rematch with the Wings in Dallas. — Michael Voepel
Up next: at Dallas Wings on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Angel Reese gets her first bucket in the @WNBA 👏 pic.twitter.com/Sj1pAY49rp
— espnW (@espnW) May 16, 2024
Forward | 6-foot-4 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Brink started and played 20 minutes in the Sparks’ 92-81 opening loss to Atlanta on Wednesday. She finished 4-for-6 from the field for 11 points, adding 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots. She also had five fouls — but unlike at Stanford, where she battled foul trouble, five doesn’t disqualify you in the WNBA.
What stood out: Overall it was a solid start, especially considering Atlanta’s inside tandem: future Hall of Famer Tina Charles, making her Dream debut in her 13th WNBA season, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, who made her first All-Star Game last season. Brink had the best plus/minus for the Sparks at plus-8. — Michael Voepel
Up next: at Las Vegas Aces on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
RICKEA JACKSON AT THE HALFTIME BUZZER FOR HER FIRST WNBA BUCKET 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Gn9Ct3geHP
— espnW (@espnW) May 16, 2024
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Jackson’s first career basket came after she stole the ball and made a layup just before the first-half buzzer, tying the score at 48. Coming off the bench, she played 18 minutes and went 3-of-10 from the field for 7 points, adding 3 rebounds Wednesday.
What stood out: See what we said above about Brink and how difficult a matchup it was inside for the Sparks’ two rookie forwards, who were taken at No. 2 and No. 4 in the draft. The Sparks will look at where Jackson took her shots and try to make some adjustment there before tackling the Aces. — Michael Voepel
Up next: at Las Vegas Aces on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
