From The Cheap Seats

No debate here: Caitlyn Clark’s rookie season in the WNBA was nothing short of historic. She didn’t just carry the Indiana Fever—she carried the entire league on her back.

We saw record-breaking crowds flooding arenas both home and away. Prime-time TV slots attracted record ratings, all eyes glued to #22 on the Fever’s court. Clark didn’t just break records; she shattered them, taking home Rookie of the Year honors while averaging a jaw-dropping 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. She also set the league’s single-season assist record—a stunning achievement for any player, let alone a rookie.

Her impact propelled the Fever from a 13–27 record in 2023 to an even 20–20 in 2024, clinching their first playoff appearance since 2016. Off the court? Endorsements, trading cards, and jersey sales skyrocketed. Caitlyn Clark was everywhere—and deservedly so.

And then, the sophomore slump kicks in.

But guess what? It happens.  

Just look back at WNBA history—there was a star who won both MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season, only to see her numbers dip in her second year across points, assists, steals, and shooting percentages. That player? The legendary Candace Parker, now a future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer.

Caitlyn Clark is simply walking a path many greats have trod before her. Injuries—particularly her recent groin issues—haven’t made things easier. Her stats this season show some dips: points, steals, field goal, and three-point percentages are down, while turnovers have crept up. Not ideal, but a common hurdle in any athlete’s growth.

Still, the Fever have a solid 8–5 record with her on the court, compared to 4–4 without her. That tells a story all on its own.

With the WNBA All-Star break right around the corner, rumors swirl about Clark entering the 3-point contest—if her injury allows. What she truly needs now is time. Time to heal, to recalibrate mentally, and to rally her team for the playoff push ahead.

Here’s the truth: Caitlyn Clark will be just fine.

Her rookie season was an explosion of talent and promise. This year’s challenges? Merely growing pains. The league has witnessed this pattern before—and every time, true greatness emerges on the other side.

So let’s ease up on the panic, cheer her on, and watch Clark continue to carve out a legendary career.

Because if her rookie season proved anything, it’s this: she’s unstoppable.