Caitlin Clark kicked off her sophomore WNBA season with a bang, earning high praise from NBA icon LeBron James after leading the Indiana Fever to a 93-58 rout of the Chicago Sky on May 17. Clark’s triple-double performance-20 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds-at Gainbridge Fieldhouse drew admiration from James, and the Fever star responded with heartfelt gratitude, showcasing the mutual respect between the two basketball phenoms. The game, a dominant display against rival Angel Reese, set a strong tone for Clark’s 2025 campaign.
James, a four-time NBA champion, celebrated Clark’s achievement on X, writing, “TRIPLE DUB CC!! Great way to kick off the season!” His enthusiastic shoutout added to his history of supporting Clark, having previously praised her for breaking the NCAA scoring record in 2024.
Clark, who has long admired James, responded with humility and reverence, saying, “The greatest of all time. Thank you, goat.” Her words reflected her deep appreciation for James’ recognition, especially given his status as one of basketball’s all-time greats with 122 career triple-doubles, the fifth-most in NBA history.
Clark’s triple-double marked her third in the WNBA, trailing only Alyssa Thomas (15) and Sabrina Ionescu (4), as noted by FeverStats on X. She shot 4-of-10 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, playing 41 minutes in the 35-point blowout.
Clark had a spectacular season-opener
Her 2024 rookie season, where she averaged 19.2 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds, earned her Rookie of the Year honors, and her latest performance showed she’s ready to elevate further. The Sky’s Reese, meanwhile, posted 10 points and 15 rebounds but struggled, shooting 3-of-10, as the Fever’s balanced attack, including 14 points from Aliyah Boston, overwhelmed them.
Fans on X were thrilled by the exchange between Clark and James, with one user posting, “LeBron and Caitlin’s mutual respect is everything!” James’ support for Clark isn’t new-he previously advised her to “put your blinders on” and focus on her craft amid fame, words Clark has clearly taken to heart. Her connection with James, paired with her on-court dominance, continues to captivate basketball fans as she leads the Fever into what promises to be an exciting 2025 season.
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