{"id":2335773,"date":"2024-09-02T19:03:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-02T23:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/caitlin-clark-and-angel-reese-both-break-records-is-the-wnba-rookie-of-the-year-race-over\/"},"modified":"2024-09-02T19:07:31","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T23:07:31","slug":"caitlin-clark-and-angel-reese-both-break-records-is-the-wnba-rookie-of-the-year-race-over","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/caitlin-clark-and-angel-reese-both-break-records-is-the-wnba-rookie-of-the-year-race-over\/","title":{"rendered":"Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Both Break Records: Is the WNBA Rookie of the Year Race Over?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcaitlin-clark-and-angel-reese-both-break-records-is-the-wnba-rookie-of-the-year-race-over%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2335773&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the burgeoning rivalry \u2063between WNBA rookies Caitlin Clark \u2063of \u200dthe Indiana Fever\u2063 and Angel Reese of\u200b the Chicago Sky,\u2064 likening it to the historic \u200drivalry\u2064 of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.\u200b Both players have garnered attention for their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mlb-roundup-royals-bobby-witt-jr-hits-walk-off-slam-in-10th\/\" title=\"Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals smashes walk-off grand slam in 10th inning.\">impressive performances<\/a>, with Clark recently \u2062helping the Fever achieve a winning record for the \u200bfirst time in over \u200bfive years. She\u200c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lebron-james-watches-from-sidelines-as-lakers-are-eliminated-from-nba-playoffs\/\" title=\"Lebron James Watches from Sidelines as Lakers Are Eliminated from NBA Playoffs\">scored 28 points<\/a> and assisted 12 times, ending the Fever&#8217;s record \u2064streak \u200dof losses. In \u2063contrast, Reese \u2064set a WNBA record for \u2063the\u200b most\u2062 rebounds in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/julian-edelman-is-an-nfl-great-but-not-a-hall-of-famer\/\" title=\"Julian Edelman Is An NFL Great, But Not A Hall Of Famer\">single season<\/a> with 418 but \u2063plays for \u200ba \u200bstruggling\u2064 Sky\u200b team that has a much worse record. The contrasting performances of\u2062 the two \u2062players have ignited discussions about their prospects for Rookie of the Year, especially as Clark&#8217;s contributions have come with team\u200b success, while Reese&#8217;s impressive stats have not translated\u2064 into wins\u200d for her team. The article \u2062highlights the significant \u200ddifference in team performance,\u2064 suggesting that team \u2062success plays a crucial role in\u2063 shaping their reputations\u200c in the \u2063league.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> <script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, sports just make no sense, whatsoever.<\/p>\n<p>(Just ask any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-new-patriots-head-coach-goes-woke-says-people-dont-see-color-cant-see-racism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New England Patriots<\/a> fans about, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Super_Bowl_XLII\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oh say<\/a>, the night of Feb. 3, 2008.)<\/p>\n<p>Other times, sports make so much sense that you would think it&rsquo;s scripted &mdash; like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wwes-wrestlemania-xl-officially-successful-event-companys-history-wow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WWE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The intertwining tales of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese firmly fall into that latter category.<\/p>\n<p>Seriously, Clark versus Reese feels like someone wants to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/caitlin-clark-vs-angel-reese-wnba-rematch-sets-eye-popping-record-even-tips-off\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">re-write the iconic rivalry<\/a> of NBA legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, but for the WNBA and in 2024. The two have captured the attention of WNBA fans while igniting a newfound interest in the otherwise struggling league.<\/p>\n<p>  <script> \t\t\t\tif( ! getCookie( 'ff_subbed' ) ) if( typeof FFADS.replace_ict !='undefined' ) if( FFADS.replace_ict ) eval( FFADS.replace_ict ); \t\t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>And the next &mdash; mighty impressive &mdash; chapter of this rivalry was written over Labor Day weekend, where Clark snapped a record streak and Reese broke a record.<\/p>\n<p>Clark, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/wnba\/story\/_\/id\/41088178\/caitlin-clark-helps-push-fever-500-snapping-record-streak\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESPN<\/a> pointed out, helped end a rather ignominious streak for her historically putrid Fever.<\/p>\n<p>The precocious Fever rookie posted 28 points and 12 assists in a Sunday win over the Dallas Wings. Scoring 28 points and dropping a dozen dimes is nothing to sneeze at, but Clark&rsquo;s record had nothing to do with her personal accolades.<\/p>\n<p>No, Clark&rsquo;s performance (and the Fever win) catapulted Indiana to 17-16, one game over a .500 record.<\/p>\n<p>And that matters because the Fever haven&rsquo;t been over .500 since before coronavirus was a common term.<\/p>\n<p>Per ESPN, citing the Elias Sports Bureau, the Fever &ldquo;had gone an WNBA-record 189 straight games without a winning record,&rdquo; which accounts for a period of over five years.<\/p>\n<p>Reese, meanwhile, set her own historic mark on Sunday, becoming the WNBA&rsquo;s all-time single-season rebounding leader.<\/p>\n<p>In Sunday&rsquo;s tilt against the Minnesota Lynx, Reese tallied an impressive 17 points and 19 rebounds.&nbsp;Those 19 rebounds gave her 418 rebounds for the season &mdash; eclipsing the prior record of 404 rebounds in a single season, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/wnba\/story\/_\/id\/41087171\/sky-angel-reese-becomes-wnba-single-season-rebounding-leader\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Just to get this out of the way: Both records, no matter how you slice them, are incredibly impressive.<\/p>\n<p>A rookie dragging a moribund franchise beyond mediocrity and another rookie breaking (shattering, really) rebounding records is the stuff of scripts.<\/p>\n<p>But beneath that shiny veneer also lays an uncomfortable truth: Clark has probably wrapped up a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/espn-knocks-caitlin-clark-top-spot-replaces-angel-reese-stunning-development\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contentious<\/a> rookie of the year competition after Sunday, and these records are reflective of why.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout Clark&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/caitlin-clark-no-nba-player-ever-done-leaves-angel-reese-dust-historic-statline\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">record-setting<\/a> rookie campaign, both she and her team have steadily improved to the point where the Fever are in the thick of a hunt for a playoff spot.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, Clark&rsquo;s eye-popping statistical totals are coming in the context of her team winning.<\/p>\n<p>Reese, meanwhile, has been putting up &ldquo;empty calorie&rdquo; stats.<\/p>\n<p>Sure, the outspoken Chicago rookie may have a rebounding nose and motor for the ages, but her team keeps losing.<\/p>\n<p>The Fever have reached 17-16 by winning eight of its last 10 games. The Sky, meanwhile, have plummeted to an 11-21 record, having lost eight of its last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p>(The Fever next play Wednesday when they host the L.A. Sparks, while the Sky play Tuesday in a road tilt against the Las Vegas Aces.)<\/p>\n<p>The Fever and Sky are two teams headed in diametrically opposed directions, despite (in spite?) of their star rookie&rsquo;s history-making performances.<\/p>\n<p>And that matters.<\/p>\n<p>Fair or not, reputations are being cultivated in real-time that Clark puts up eye-popping stats within the flow of a team gameplan, while Reese all but demolishes her team&rsquo;s offensive sets, so she can collect handfuls of offensive rebounds at a time.<\/p>\n<p>Given those budding reputations,&nbsp;<em>of course&nbsp;<\/em>Sunday&rsquo;s slate of WNBA games went the way they did.<\/p>\n<p>Both Clark and Reese are clearly talented enough to keep setting records.<\/p>\n<p>You just wouldn&rsquo;t be able to tell that for one of the candidates if you look at her team&rsquo;s record.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<p>   <script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes, sports can be completely baffling. (Just ask any New England Patriots fan about the events of February 3, 2008.) At other times, they seem so perfectly orchestrated that it feels like a script \u2014 much like WWE. The compelling narratives surrounding Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese definitely fall into this latter category. Their rivalry resembles an attempt to recreate the legendary competition between NBA icons Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, but this time in the WNBA for 2024. Both players have captivated WNBA fans and sparked renewed interest in a league that has been struggling.<\/p>\n<p>The latest impressive chapter of their rivalry unfolded over Labor Day weekend when Clark ended a record streak while Reese set one of her own. As noted by ESPN, Clark helped break an embarrassing streak for her historically underperforming Fever team by scoring 28 points and providing 12 assists in a victory against the Dallas Wings. While those numbers are noteworthy on their own, Clark&#8217;s achievement was more significant because it lifted Indiana to a record of 17-16\u2014marking their first time above .500 since before COVID-19 became widely known. According to ESPN and the Elias Sports Bureau, the Fever had endured an unprecedented stretch of 189 consecutive games without a winning record over more than five years.<\/p>\n<p>On the same day, Reese made history as well by becoming the all-time single-season rebounding leader in WNBA history during her game against the Minnesota Lynx. She recorded an impressive tally of 17 points along with 19 rebounds\u2014bringing her season total to 418 rebounds and surpassing the previous record of 404.<\/p>\n<p>Both records are undeniably remarkable: one rookie elevating a struggling franchise beyond mediocrity while another shatters rebounding records is straight out of a storybook. However, there\u2019s also an uncomfortable reality: after Sunday\u2019s performances, it seems likely that Clark has secured her position as Rookie of the Year amid fierce competition\u2014and these records highlight why.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout her standout rookie season, both she and her team have shown consistent improvement as they vie for playoff contention; thus far this season has seen them win eight out of their last ten games to reach that winning record. In contrast, despite Reese&#8217;s impressive stats\u2014often referred to as &#8220;empty calories&#8221; due to lackluster team performance\u2014the Chicago Sky have struggled significantly with an overall record now at just 11-21 after losing eight out of their last ten games.<\/p>\n<p>The two teams are clearly heading in opposite directions despite both rookies\u2019 historic achievements being recognized; reputations are forming based on how each player contributes within their respective team&#8217;s strategies or disrupts them entirely for personal gain on stats alone.<\/p>\n<p>Given these emerging narratives surrounding each player\u2019s contributions\u2014and how they align with team success\u2014it\u2019s no surprise that Sunday\u2019s results played out as they did; both players possess immense talent capable enough to continue breaking records\u2014but only one is doing so while leading her team toward victory<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2335774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Clark-v-Reese.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32499,32078,39934,7188],"class_list":["post-2335773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-angel-reese","tag-caitlin-clark","tag-rookie-of-the-year","tag-wnba"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Clark-v-Reese.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2335773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2335773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2335773\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2335774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2335773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2335773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2335773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}