Caitlin Clarke performed brilliantly against Phoenix Mercury in her first match after the Olympic break. Indiana Fever star Rookie collected 29 points and led his team to a 98-89 victory. However, after the match, he admitted that improving his fitness after returning from almost a month-long Olympic break is still a challenge.

“I demanded a substitution after six minutes.” We were playing fast and my defence was not that good,” Clark told reporters after the match. “I needed a one-minute break, because it was becoming a problem for our team.” However, he also said that he had no particular problem getting back into the game shape, as there has been stiff competition in practice.

Clark and his team last played on July 17, when they finished the game against the Dallas Wings with 24 points and 19 assists, but their team lost 101-93. On Friday also they performed with a double double, which included 10 assists and 5 rebounds.

His three-point shooting performance was again impressive. He hit 4-11 shots for three points, while 8-16 for two points and 9-10 on the free-throw line. “We started with a lot of energy,” Clark said. “We tried to maintain it, but they also have a good team.” They were not easy to give up.”

Clark performed his best three-point shooting since July 10 and celebrated by sticking out his tongue like Michael Jordan after a three-point shot. This incident has helped her build the identity of women’s basketball and WNBA like Jordan. “I think I’m good at this experience,” Clark said. “I like to do it, but don’t let it go out of the game.”

Clark also set a new record on Friday. She became the first WNBA rookie to touch 450 points and more than 200 assists in a season. Thus, Clark has proved that he is on his way to creating a unique place not only on the playing field, but also in the record book.