The 2024 WNBA season is off and operating for some of the anticipated rookie lessons in league historical past. With the WNBA at a tipping level, all eyes are on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 decide in April’s draft and the NCAA Division I all-time main scorer.
However the rookie class is loaded with potential future stars. Along with Clark, forwards Cameron Brink, the No. 2 draft decide with the Los Angeles Sparks, and Angel Reese, the No. 7 decide to the Chicago Sky, had been among the many rookies in beginning lineups Tuesday and Wednesday because the season opened.
How did the highest rookies carry out of their professional debuts? We’ll observe their performances each time they take the courtroom, so examine again each sport day.
In search of middle Kamilla Cardoso? She’s sidelined with a shoulder harm suffered in early Could. When she returns, we’ll add the Sky’s No. 3 decide — and different rookies because the season progresses.
Final up to date: Could 16
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Final day out: In her dwelling opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Clark had 9 factors, 6 assists and seven rebounds in half-hour Thursday. The Fever misplaced 102-66 to the New York Liberty, final yr’s runner-up within the WNBA Finals. Clark had just one sport in her Iowa school profession by which she failed to attain in double figures; she had eight factors towards Northwestern in her freshman season in January 2021.
Clark had two factors within the first quarter and 7 within the third interval Thursday. For the sport, she was 2-of-8 from the sector — 1-of-7 from 3-point vary — and 4-of-4 from the foul line. After 10 turnovers in her professional debut at Connecticut on Tuesday, Clark had three towards the Liberty.
What stood out: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was one among 5 major defenders the Liberty despatched towards Clark, and she or he set the tone. The rookie scored seven of her factors towards Leonie Fiebich. Clark was 1-of-7 towards different the Liberty defenders.
“It is a course of, and she or he’s going to be nice,” Fever coach Christie Sides stated of Clark. “She simply must get a bit of little bit of confidence proper now. Betnijah Laney is among the greatest defenders within the league.”
The Fever’s protection was porous, however they had been going through a powerhouse staff. Nonetheless, they allowed the Liberty 78 pictures whereas taking simply 60. It was an identical disparity towards the Solar, and Indiana has been outscored in its first two video games by 57 factors. That is the biggest deficit ever by a WNBA staff over its first two video games of a season. — Michael Voepel
Up subsequent: at New York Liberty on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
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Final day out: Reese had 12 factors, 8 rebounds, 1 help and 1 steal in her debut Wednesday for the Sky, who misplaced 87-79 at Dallas. Reese’s eight rebounds (together with 5 offensive boards) tied with Elena Delle Donne and Diamond DeShields for essentially the most by a Sky rookie in her debut sport.
Reese was 5-for-14 from the sector however was going towards a troublesome tandem inside: Natasha Howard, the 2019 WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months, and 6-7 Teaira McCowan. These two mixed for 33 factors and 26 rebounds.
What stood out: Reese performed 26 minutes in her first sport, as she and all of the Sky’s starters scored in double figures. The Sky led the Wings by 4 factors with 5 minutes left. However Dallas went on a 18-6 run to shut it out, going 8-of-8 from the ground in that stretch. Reese prides herself on protection, and within the opener she noticed how powerful it may be to decelerate an offense like Dallas when it will get on a roll.
Reese and the Sky can instantly put what they realized Wednesday to make use of, as they’ve a rematch with the Wings in Dallas. — Michael Voepel
Up subsequent: at Dallas Wings on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Angel Reese will get her first bucket within the @WNBA 👏 pic.twitter.com/Sj1pAY49rp
— espnW (@espnW) Could 16, 2024
Ahead | 6-foot-4 | Sport log | Stats
Final day out: Brink began and performed 20 minutes within the Sparks’ 92-81 opening loss to Atlanta on Wednesday. She completed 4-for-6 from the sector for 11 factors, including 2 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of blocked pictures. She additionally had 5 fouls — however in contrast to at Stanford, the place she battled foul hassle, 5 would not disqualify you within the WNBA.
What stood out: Total it was a stable begin, particularly contemplating Atlanta’s inside tandem: future Corridor of Famer Tina Charles, making her Dream debut in her thirteenth WNBA season, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, who made her first All-Star Sport final season. Brink had the perfect plus/minus for the Sparks at plus-8. — Michael Voepel
Up subsequent: at Las Vegas Aces on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
RICKEA JACKSON AT THE HALFTIME BUZZER FOR HER FIRST WNBA BUCKET 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Gn9Ct3geHP
— espnW (@espnW) Could 16, 2024
Ahead | 6-foot-2 | Sport log | Stats
Final day out: Jackson’s first profession basket got here after she stole the ball and made a layup simply earlier than the first-half buzzer, tying the rating at 48. Coming off the bench, she performed 18 minutes and went 3-of-10 from the sector for 7 factors, including 3 rebounds Wednesday.
What stood out: See what we stated above about Brink and the way tough a matchup it was inside for the Sparks’ two rookie forwards, who had been taken at No. 2 and No. 4 within the draft. The Sparks will take a look at the place Jackson took her pictures and attempt to make some adjustment there earlier than tackling the Aces. — Michael Voepel
Up subsequent: at Las Vegas Aces on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
