WNBA rookie tracker: Road-weary Fever, Clark fall to Aces (2024)

ESPN

May 25, 2024, 10:42 PM ET

The 2024 WNBA season is off and running for one of the most anticipated rookie classes in league history. With the WNBA at a tipping point, all eyes are on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in April's draft and the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.

But the rookie class is loaded with potential future stars. In addition to Clark, forwards Cameron Brink, the No. 2 draft pick with the Los Angeles Sparks, and Angel Reese, the No. 7 pick to the Chicago Sky, were among the rookies in starting lineups in Week 1.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Guard | 6-foot-0 | Game log | Stats

Last time out: It was another quiet shooting night for Clark as the Indiana Fever fell to the Las Vegas Aces 99-80 to drop to 1-6 on the season. Clark's only field goals came from an early 3-pointer over the contested reach of Kelsey Plum and a step-back trey to begin the second half. She finished 2 for 8 from the field (2 for 5 on 3s), continued to facilitate with seven assists, while also coming away with five rebounds and a steal. She did, however, struggle with six turnovers and managed a season-low eight points. Clark was held to single figures just once in her college career, her freshman season -- and so far that's happened twice in her seven WNBA games. But there was a huge silver lining to the matchup for Clark, as she got to face her best friend and former Iowa teammate, Kate Martin, who's become a fan favorite off the bench for the Aces. Despite her recent struggles scoring the ball, Clark still joined Candace Parker and Sabrina Ionescu as the only players in WNBA history to average 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists through seven career games.

What stood out: It's one thing to play seven games in 12 days to start the season. It's another thing to have games six and seven on consecutive days on the road ... and the latter against the two-time defending champs. For Clark, that meant going up against Jackie Young -- one of the top players in the world right now -- who proved to be another tough matchup for her, as the rookie went 0-for-4 with three turnovers when Young was her primary defender. But with the game still within reach midway through the fourth quarter, Clark uncharacteristically passed up an open 3, dribbling it out and passing to a teammate who missed her shot before the Aces answered. Understandably, Clark and the Fever may be out of gas near the end of this grueling stretch for a young team with so much outside noise surrounding it. But all things considered, the Fever competed Saturday night. Now, Clark and the Fever barely get a breather before returning to the floor on Tuesday, but any sort of break -- or even practice time -- will be welcomed by coach Christie Sides, Clark and the crew. --Alexa Philippou

Up next: Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Sparks (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)

Angel Reese, Chicago Sky

Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats

Last time out: Chicago fans watched the Chi-Town Barbie go to work for the first time this season, as Saturday's game against the Connecticut Sun -- an 86-82 loss -- was the Sky's home opener. As she has in every game so far in her pro career, Reese finished in double figures, matching her career high of 13 points, on 4-of 9-shooting. She had her least effective outing on the glass, collecting just five boards as she competed against frontcourt players such as Brionna Jones, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner. But the LSU star rounded out her stat line with two assists and a steal to go with two turnovers and three fouls.

Even though she didn't completely stuff the stat sheet, Reese became the first player in Sky history with 10 points and five rebounds in each of her first four games.

What stood out: Unlike most of her recent games where she came alive in the fourth quarter, Reese shined in the first half Saturday, scoring 10 of her points. She was quieter down the stretch but late in the third quarter was on the receiving end of a flagrant foul 2 from Thomas, resulting in the ejection of the MVP candidate. Thomas, known as one of the toughest competitors and a former Maryland Terrapin as well as Reese, battled with the rookie for much of the game. Apparently, her frustrations boiled over. Reese's game and whether it was pro ready was a huge talking point leading up to her getting drafted. While expanding her range and developing more of a face-up game will be critical to her growth, she showed flashes of those elements on Saturday with a midrange jumper and a jab and drive past Thomas in the first half. -- Philippou

Up next: vs. Seattle Storm on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET)

Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks

Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats

Last time out: Jackson had the most effective offensive game of her young WNBA career Friday in the Sparks' 78-73 loss to Indiana. She had a season-best 16 points, going 5 of 7 from the floor and 4 of 4 from the free throw line. She made both her 3-point attempts. The Sparks drafted Jackson knowing she was a consistent proven scorer in college, and she looked the part Friday even though she played just 21 minutes.

What stood out: Jackson scored her last points of the game on a layup assisted by Cameron Brink with 2:50 left. Jackson has been coming off the bench this season, with Dearica Hamby and Brink as the Sparks' starting front court. But the offensive boost Jackson provided Friday might make Los Angeles consider a change that moves her into the starting lineup as well; it was a rough night for the Sparks' trio of starting guards, who combined to go 5 of 22 from the field for 11 points. -- Michael Voepel

Up next: vs. Dallas Wings on Sunday (9 p.m. ET)

Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks

Forward | 6-foot-4 | Game log | Stats

Last time out: Brink had season highs of 15 points and 9 rebounds Friday, but the Sparks lost 78-73 to the visiting Indiana Fever. After being held to single-digit scoring her previous two games, Brink looked more comfortable offensively against the Fever. That included hitting her third 3-pointer of the season late in the game. Overall, she was 5 of 9 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free throw line.

Brink was a three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year at Stanford, and she has shown up on that end of the court right away in the WNBA. She had two blocked shots Friday, giving her a league-best 13 so far this season.

What stood out: Brink had a big late defensive play Tuesday to lead the Sparks to their first victory, over the Washington Mystics. And it looked briefly like she might be the catalyst for a win Friday, too. She hit a 3-pointer with 1:25 left in the game to cut the Fever's lead to four, then forced a turnover at the other end at 1:05. But Indiana got another big 3-pointer from Caitlin Clark, and the Sparks saw an 11-point halftime lead slip away to a five-point defeat. -- Voepel

Up next: vs. Dallas Wings on Sunday (9 p.m. ET)