Caitlin Clark’s impressive season in the WNBA has captivated many basketball fans, including LeBron James.
The Lakers megastar praised the Fever phenomenon Friday night, calling her “chill” after Clark scored a career-high 31 points on 8-of-14 shooting to lead Indiana to a 100-81 victory over Angel Reese and the Sky.
IT’S TOO COLD!!!! ?
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 31, 2024
Clark, who also added 12 assists (and just three turnovers), made a pretty compelling case as she tries to win over the masses (media members) and earn rookie of the year honors for 2024.
The 22-year-old point guard navigated Chicago head coach Teresa Witherspoon’s defensive adjustments, finding space for herself and her teammates on numerous occasions. Whether it was from three-point range (Clark made five of her nine 3-point attempts) or in the paint, Clark seemed in control.
The Fever responded in kind, with Kelsey Mitchell (23 points), NaLyssa Smith (14 points, 7 rebounds) and Lexie Hull (11 points, 3 of 4 from 3-point range) all there en route to the victory.
Amidst her teammate’s prowess, Clark was the centerpiece. James, like many other fans watching the show on their televisions, noticed, and he shared his joy at seeing Clark wield the rock with the 53 million people who follow him on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
CAITLIN CLARK !!!!! Hey haters
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 31, 2024
Like many of Clark’s recent performances, Friday’s performance represented not only a solid performance for the rookie, but a historic milestone in the WNBA. With 30 points and 12 assists, Clark became the first player in league history to record those numbers in a single game.
Clark is also one of five players to score at least 30 points and 10 assists in a game. Of those five, only three have done so in regulation, and Clark is one of them.
She is also the leading player in WNBA history with 20 points and 10 assists in a single season.
Another day, another record broken for Caitlin Clark.
h/t @StatMamba pic.twitter.com/WoqH9lFbZc
– THE Jugo Mobile (@sportingnews) August 31, 2024
All of which is to say that Friday was a wonderful night at the office for Clark and her team. Nothing illustrates that better than the fact that it was Clark, not Reese, who received the loudest ovation of the night as she left the field. Did we mention it was a road game between Clark and Indiana?
— Oh yes he did (@OhYesHeDid24) August 31, 2024
Clark, always a showwoman, embraced the noise that erupted around her when she dragged herself to the bench in Chicago. Could you blame her?
— Oh yes he did (@OhYesHeDid24) August 31, 2024
For LeBron, Clark’s performance wasn’t just a glimpse of what she is and could be for the Fever. It was also an indication of what the team needs to do to succeed with her.
In James’ eyes, it’s about acquiring a solid veteran, as he plays the role of armchair GM. Tina Charles, anyone?
Yeah, they need another player. A solid veteran! Tina still has a lot of game left. I have a few others in mind too
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 31, 2024
We all witnessed Clark’s greatness on Friday night, even LeBron James. He was simply the most prominent of us to be able to comment on it.
WNBA Playoffs Table and Standings
(As of Friday, August 30)
| Rank | Team | WL | Winning percentage | EN |
| 1. | x-Freedom of New York | 26-6 | .813 | — |
| 2. | x-Connecticut Sun | 22-8 | .733 | 3 |
| 3. | x-Minnesota Lynx | 23-9 | .719 | 3 |
| 4. | Seattle Storm | 19-11 | .633 | 6 |
| 5. | The Aces of Las Vegas | 18-12 | .600 | 7 |
| 6. | Indiana Fever | 16-16 | .500 | 10 |
| 7. | Phoenix Mercury | 16-16 | .500 | 10 |
| 8. | Chicago Sky | 11-20 | .355 | 14.5 |
| — | The Atlanta Dream | 10-20 | .333 | 15 |
| — | The Washington Mystics | 9-22 | .290 | 16.5 |
| — | Dallas Wings | 9-22 | .290 | 16.5 |
| — | Los Angeles Sparks | 7-24 | .226 | 18.5 |
X: Playoffs assured
