Caitlin Clark made history in the Indiana Fever’s 93-86 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on September 4, but couldn’t escape the same criticism that fellow rookie Angel Reese has faced throughout the season.
Clark recorded a triple-double in the win, which pushed her team to 18-16. Coming into this season, no WNBA rookie had ever recorded a double-double, but Clark has now done it twice.
Caitlin Clark is not only the most exciting player in the WNBA but she’s the most impactful player. Her usage & floor command is already HOF
But I have to be fair. I’ve called out Angel Reese for late game stat-padding so I have to call this out. We must eliminate this… https://t.co/BcBZnAanGK
— J. Mulholland (@MulhollandL0ver) September 5, 2024
The Fever guard finished the game with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. But the manner in which she secured the final stat is coming under fire, with some accusing the Fever rookie of stat padding. Clark grabbed a rebound with under 10 seconds remaining in the game, securing a win while giving herself a 10th rebound.
Some fans thought Clark’s late-game rebound, with the outcome of the contest not in question, cheapened her accomplishment.
“I’ve called out Angel Reese for late game stat-padding so I have to call this out,” a fan shared on X. “We must eliminate this Westbrookian garbage time stat-chasing nonsense from the pro game, mens & women.”
That second half was dominated Caitlin Clark! Last rebound to get the triple double was sort of a gift, but ya can’t stat pad a defensive rebound if they just make the shot! Lmfao
— curmudgeon (@ROLLINRAIDER) September 5, 2024
Reese has faced accusations of stat padding throughout the season, especially during her WNBA-record run of 15 straight games with a double-double. Some did not agree with the claim that Clark was padding her stats. “Last rebound to get the triple double was sort of a gift, but ya can’t stat pad a defensive rebound if they just make the shot!” a fan posted on X.
