Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to receiving a flagrant foul Saturday, May 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky, 93-58. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lakers' LeBron James Reacts to Caitlin Clark Triple-Double to Open WNBA Season

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated May 17, 2025 6:58 PM ET

Just one game into her second pro second, Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark is already doing her darnedest to contend for MVP honors.

Already also in the running are Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, who scored 34 points in a blowout win over Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings on Friday, and new Los Angeles Sparks point guard Kelsey Plum, who notched an opening-night record of 37 points in a victory against the Golden State Valkyries.

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Clark's Fever obliterated her fellow 2024 rookie All-Star, Angel Reese, and Reese's Chicago Sky during a matinee massacre on Saturday.

In the 93-58 blowout victory (keep in mind, WNBA games are limited to just 40 minutes, against NBA games' 48), Clark scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor (4-of-8 from distance) and 4-of-4 shooting from the foul line, grabbed 10 boards, dished out 10 dimes, blocked four shots and swiped two steals, while registering a +20 plus-minus.

a triple-double for Caitlin Clark on opening day

20 PTS | 10 AST | 10 REB#NowYouKnow pic.twitter.com/GW14lkFZSM
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 17, 2025

6-foot-5 Indiana forward/center Aliyah Boston logged a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double. Reese led the Sky with 12 points, 17 rebounds, and an assist (against five turnovers).

With a break in the NBA playoff action, the basketball world was watching.

21-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers power forward LeBron James, no stranger to triple doubles himself (his 122 regular season triple-doubles are the fifth-most in league history), applauded Clark's achievement on his personal X account.

TRIPLE DUB CC!! Great way to kick off the season!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 17, 2025

James has a $52.6 million player option for his 2025-26 season.

The 6-foot-9 superstar, 40, would break his own (tied) record for the most NBA seasons played in history if he returned for a 23rd season next year.

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It seems likely that James will be back, whether or not he picks up the option.

Last year, James continued to play like an All-Star — at least, on offense — for a 50-win Lakers squad. Across 70 healthy contests this season, James scored 24.4 points on .513/.376/.782 shooting splits, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds a night.

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This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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