The WNBA phenom became the first player in league history with at least 40 points and 10 assists, and just the 10th player in WNBA history with a 45-point game, on Friday night against the Seattle Storm.She did it all against the backdrop of an ongoing national controversy over her treatment from the league and other players, which has reached a fever pitch in recent days.CAITLIN CLARK HELPS WNBA HIT HISTORIC LATE-NIGHT CABLE NUMBER DESPITE LIMITED RETURN IN LAIndiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark grabs the ball during the second half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.The Fever defeated the Seattle Storm, 110-107.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Through it all, Clark went out on Friday and had her best game as a pro with 45 points, 10 assists, and four steals.Her final steal of the game all but clinched the victory as she snuck the ball out of the hands of Seattle's Flau'Jae Johnson with less than a minute left.It was also the highest scoring game by a WNBA point guard or any Indiana Fever player ever.Caitlin Clark drives to the basket during a game against the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on July 17, 2026.
(Pepper Robinson/NBAE via Getty Images)In an on-court interview with ION right after the game concluded, Clark said she "doesn't really care" about the history she made, and said the way her team played defense was "embarrassing," as Indiana won 110-107.Clark told reporters that she refused to come out of the game late despite being on a minutes restriction as she is recovering from a back injury."I told Steph at halftime, like, I felt really good and I didn’t want to lose this game," Clark said."There’s no way I was ever coming out of the game in the fourth quarter.It didn’t matter.
I would play with one leg," Clark added.Clark also reflected on overcoming struggles."I know all the time and the work that I put in, and people believe in me.And more than anything, I believe in mysel...