Clark and the Fever will play in the playoffs for the first time since 2016

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark speaks during a news conference before a WNBA basketball gameAP

With just over a week remaining in the WNBA’s historic season, Caitlin Clark has undoubtedly emerged as the standout figure of the year. Clark, the top pick in the draft, has surpassed the sky-high expectations set for her rookie season. She became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double, accomplishing this impressive feat twice during the season. Clark’s game is centered around three-pointers and assists, where she has already broken rookie records. She leads all rookies in three-pointers made and attempted, and she tops the charts for assists. By the end of the season, she is expected to have over 100 more assists than the second-place rookie, further solidifying her status as a rising star. Many believe she could even be in contention for the MVP award in the near future like she is in this season.

Taylor Swift influence on Caitlin Clark politics

As Clark’s fame grows, so does the scrutiny surrounding her actions and decisions. She recently found herself in the spotlight for non-basketball reasons during a press conference ahead of the Indiana Fever’s (19-17) game against the Las Vegas Aces (22-13). Reporters asked her about a “like” she had given on Taylor Swift’s latest post, in which Swift expressed public support for Democratic candidateKamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election on November 5. When asked about her stance, Clark carefully responded, “I have this amazing platform, so I think the biggest thing would be to encourage people to register to vote.”

Clark’s answer was measured, avoiding any direct political affiliations while still highlighting the importance of civic engagement. It’s worth noting that her boyfriend’s political preferences are well-known, but Clark has remained discreet. At just 22 years old, her maturity in handling such a loaded question speaks volumes about the guidance she’s received and her growing awareness of the influence her platform provides. This poise, along with her leadership on the court, has been key in leading the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Fever’s Final Push to the Playoffs

In the remaining four games of the regular season, the Fever have the advantage of playing three at home, providing a solid opportunity to improve their standings. They currently sit in sixth place, two games behind the Seattle Storm, though they’re down at halftime against the Las Vegas Aces. If they finish outside the top four, their first-round playoff opponent will likely be a heavy favorite for the title. One intriguing potential matchup, particularly for television ratings, would be against the Minnesota Lynx, as Clark grew up rooting for that team.

Clark leads the league averaging 8.5 assists per game, is second in minutes (35.8) and seventh in points (19.2) and today could be the player with the most assists in a season, she has certainly exceeded high expectations and will continue to do so for the rest of her career.