Caitlin Clark’s record triple-double powers Fever to fifth-straight win

Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 three-pointers in a season, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her second career triple-double as the playoff-bound Indiana Fever defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 93-86 on Wednesday evening.

Clark made her second 3-pointer of the game and her 100th of the season midway through the third quarter and added two more to reach 102 and complete 4 of 10 from long range. The No. 1 overall draft pick is the first rookie to make 100 3-pointers.

She also became the first rookie and fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles in a single season, joining Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams, Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker.

Aliyah Boston had 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Fever (18-16), who clinched a playoff spot Monday night when Atlanta and Chicago lost. Indiana has won five straight for the first time since 2015 and is 10-1 at home since June 1.

Clark made two free throws with 16 seconds left for a seven-point lead. Kia Nurse was long on a three-pointer at the other end and Clark grabbed the rebound to complete the triple-double.

“Of course I knew it [I had a triple double]but honestly we were just trying to make a stop,” Clark said in a sideline interview.

Clark also made a key defensive play when she poked away a pass in the paint and found Boston for a layup and a 91-84 lead with 25 seconds left. Kelsey Mitchell added 18 points for Indiana, two shy of her eighth straight 20-point game.

Odyssey Sims led Los Angeles (7-26) with 20 points. Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell each scored 16 points and Azura Stevens had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Sparks have lost five straight and 15 of 17 away games this season. The Fever have been on a roll since a slow start to the season, winning 17 of their last 25 games and clinching the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2016.