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Caitlin Clark made history in dazzling return after Olympics
Caitlin Clark. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Caitlin Clark made more incredible WNBA history in dazzling return from Olympic break

The Indiana Fever returned to action after the long Olympic break with an impressive 98-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday. Unsurprisingly, star Caitlin Clark led the way, making incredible history for a first-year player.

Clark recorded a double-double, scoring 29 points to go with 10 rebounds and five assists in the victory over the Mercury. It's the fourth time this season she's finished with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in a game, passing future Hall of Famer Diana Taurasi for the most by a rookie in league history, per the WNBA

That wasn't the only mark Clark left on Friday.

Clark, who continues to etch her name in the league's record books, became the first rookie to surpass 450 points and 200 assists.

She has amassed 474 points, 218 assists and 161 rebounds through 27 career games. To put that into context, no player in league history has begun a season with those totals through 27 games, rookie or not.

Friday also marked the second time this season Clark has notched at least 25 points and 10 assists in a game — more than all rookies combined in WNBA history, according to Stat Mamba.

If that wasn't enough for Clark, after recording 24 points and 19 assists in her last game before the break, Friday's outing helped her become the first WNBA player to record 50 or more points and at least 25 assists in a two-game span.

Through all the history-making, Clark has showcased her humility during the contest's final seconds and while speaking to reporters afterward.

With the game in hand for the Fever late, Clark had a chance to tie a career-high in points and record her first 30-point, 10-assist game. Instead, she chose to let the shot clock run down.

Later, Clark admitted to needing a breather early in the game after roughly a month away from the court.

"I called for a sub six minutes in, if I'm being honest," Clark said via Matthew Byrne of Clutch Points. "I was like, holy cow — I need a quick minute here because we were playing fast and then my defense isn't as good."

See, Clark is just like everyone else. Only she's on pace to become one of the best players the WNBA, or the sport of basketball, has ever seen.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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