Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has rapidly ascended to become one of the most celebrated female athletes in history. With her exceptional playmaking ability and deep shooting range, the 2024 Rookie of the Year is among the most exciting players ever to grace the court.
Despite an injury-plagued season that saw her miss 25 games, Clark’s impact was undeniable. She set several WNBA records. The team clearly felt her absence, but her performance when healthy was historic.
How Did a WNBA Veteran Surpass Caitlin Clark’s Rookie Milestone?
During her rookie campaign, Clark established new benchmarks for the most assists in a single game, with 19, and the most assists in a single season, 322. She became the fastest player in league history, reaching 350 points and 150 assists in a season. Additionally, she was the first player to record a game with over 20 points, 15 assists, and five rebounds.
Clark also holds the record for the most career games with 25 or more points and 10 or more assists, achieving the feat six times. However, one of her prominent records has now been broken.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has officially surpassed Clark’s single-season assist record. Thomas, who had already set a new single-game franchise record for the Mercury with a career-high 16 assists against the Golden State Valkyries on August 22, 2025, has now assisted on more points than any player in a single season in WNBA history.
Known as a walking triple-double and a clear MVP candidate, Thomas also holds the league’s single-season record for triple-doubles. This latest achievement adds another impressive line to her resume.
Why Are Fans Defending Clark’s Rookie Record?
Despite the historic nature of Thomas’s accomplishment, many of Clark’s supporters seemed unimpressed by the record-breaking performance.
“Lmfao,” one fan wrote. “12 year vet beats out rookie face of the league record by handing the ball off while then setting a moving screen…. fixed it for you.”
Lmfao. 12 year vet beats out rookie face of the league record by handing the ball off while then setting a moving screen…. fixed it for you.
— ReallyNotBearsFan480 (@BeenBannedX3) August 29, 2025
“All these MVP candidate vets breaking rookie year Caitlin records and then people get mad when we say she’s the face and a top player In The league lol,” another chimed in.
All these MVP candidate vets breaking rookie year Caitlin records and then people get mad when we say she’s the face and a top player In The league lol
— Vito (@VitotheFinsFan2) August 29, 2025
“That awesome she broke a Rookies record in her 11th year!” another Clark defender proclaimed. “That’s some lasting talent.”
That awesome she broke a Rookies record in her 11th year! That’s some lasting talent.
— StopmakingupLies (@808sandTacos) August 29, 2025
The sentiment continued as fans piled on Thomas’ record: “What a joke. How many years has she played compared to Clark?”
What a joke. How many years has she played compared to Clark?
— Buck Leahy (@BuckLeahy) August 29, 2025
Others viewed the situation as a testament to Clark’s exceptional rookie season: “This further shows how elite of a rookie season CC had last year😂🔥🔥”
This further shows how elite of a rookie season CC had last year😂🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0L6wS7qYvO
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) August 29, 2025
Some even admitted they were unaware of Clark’s rookie productivity: “OMG that is amazing. I had no idea Caitlin Clark had that many in her rookie year. We are new era of women’s basketball.”
OMG that is amazing. I had no idea Caitlin Clark had that many in her rookie year. We are new era of women’s basketball. https://t.co/TSoRSLsvIe
— FORTYFOUR_12oo (@HUSKER_D00_1200) August 29, 2025
While Thomas’s feat is undoubtedly impressive, it has drawn fire from Clark’s passionate fanbase. If Clark aims to reclaim the record, she has plenty of time in her young career.
