The Indiana Fever star chose to take a turnover in the final moments of the game, missing her opportunity to reach 30 points.
Caitlin Clark’s decision in the final moments of the game has been compared to the controversy surrounding Angel Reese. With the Indiana Fever already assured of victory against the Phoenix Mercury on August 16, Clark deliberately let the ball go to waste by taking a 24-second violation. At that moment, she had 29 points—just one shy of her career-high of 30—but chose to prioritize the team’s win over reaching the personal milestone.
Clark’s choice prompted indirect comparisons to fellow rookie Angel Reese, who had been accused of padding her statistics earlier in the WNBA season.
One commenter on X noted, “Caitlin Clark, just one point short of a 30 and 10 game, opted not to pad her stats and instead took the 24-second violation.”
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Caitlin Clark’s Late-Game Choice Sparks Comparisons to Angel Reese Controversy
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark opted for a late-game turnover, missing her chance to reach a career-high 30 points.
With the Indiana Fever’s 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury secured on August 16, Clark chose to take a deliberate 24-second violation in the final moments, despite having 29 points and being just one basket away from her career-high. This decision was made to prioritize the team’s win over a personal record.
Clark’s choice was subtly compared to Angel Reese, who had faced criticism for allegedly padding her stats earlier in the season.
One comment on X noted, “Caitlin Clark, just one point short of a 30 and 10 game, decided against padding her stats and took the 24-second violation.”
Another user questioned, “Are you suggesting there’s a rookie who would have taken that shot just to pad their stats?”
These remarks echoed the criticism Reese received during her WNBA-record streak of 15 consecutive double-doubles. In a July 13 game against the New York Liberty, Reese attempted a shot with multiple defenders around her, which drew criticism for stat-padding, though some defended her actions. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III defended stat-padding as a common practice in professional sports.
“Reese isn’t the first to pad stats or pursue records at the end of games,” Griffin wrote on X on July 13. “This happens in the NBA and NFL as well. Players, fans, coaches, and teammates all care about these milestones. It’s an impressive achievement regardless. Kudos to the Liberty for not just letting her continue the streak. Earning it rather than receiving it as a gift is something we can all appreciate.”
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