Caitlin Clark scores season-high 30 but Fever fall to Sparks - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark sees the progress — even as the losses and frustration mount.

On Tuesday night, against the WNBA's only other one-win team, the Indiana Fever rookie strung together her most complete game yet by scoring a season-best 30 points, dishing out 6 assists and grabbing 5 rebounds with 3 steals and 3 blocks, despite losing 88-82 to the Los Angeles Sparks.

She became the first rookie to record 30 points, 3 blocks and 3 steals in a game in WNBA history. Her 30 points were the third most by a rookie in Fever history; only Tamika Catchings scored more in her rookie season (32, twice).

«I think I just played with an aggressive mindset,» Clark said. «I think that was the biggest thing — to play downhill the best I could. We did some good things and then we just kind of shot ourselves in the foot.»

It's been that kind of season so far for the former Iowa star and her new teammates.

They've lost seven of eight, but part of the problem has been a brutal schedule in which the Fever have played five games against last season's top three teams and eight regular-season contests in 14 days, leaving little time for practice — or rest.

And it's taken a toll even though Clark appears to be getting stronger by the game.

«Tonight she was able to get to the foul line a lot, which supplemented her offense, but I thought we did a pretty good job [defensively],» Sparks coach Curt Miller said after facing Clark for the second time in four days. «Obviously, the point total tonight again was bigger but you know seven made baskets tonight.»

That made Miller feel pretty good.

The game featured the top two picks in last month's WNBA draft: Clark and Sparks forward Cameron Brink. Brink finished with 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2