The WNBA is back after a month-long Olympic break. With five weeks to go before the end of the regular season, all eyes are on the final stretch of the playoffs.

But the most eagerly awaited draft class in league history also continues to attract attention. Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in April, hopes to lead the Indiana Fever to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. And Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso hope to lead their Chicago Sky to the playoffs as well.

Clark and Reese have already secured their place in the record books this season. Clark set the WNBA single-game record with 19 assists and is the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double. Reese set a WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles (15).

We will continue to follow the performances of the best rookies on every matchday throughout the season.

Last updated: August 17

Striker | 1.90 m | Match report | Statistics

Last time: After a difficult restart to the WNBA season on Thursday – a 20-point loss at home to Phoenix – the Sky picked up a 90-86 road win in Los Angeles on Saturday. Reese recorded her 19th double-double, moving closer to Tina Charles’ rookie record of 22 set in 2010. Reese had 14 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

As was the case Thursday, her shooting percentage was a concern: she hit 4 of 13 against the Sparks after hitting 4 of 14 against the Mercury. In the Sky’s last five games, dating back to before the Olympic break, Reese hit 20 of 67 shots (29.9%), an area of ​​her game where she needs to continue to improve.

What we learned: The Sky trailed 74-64 at the end of the third quarter, but outscored the Sparks 26-12 in the final quarter. Reese and fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso each scored 6 points in the fourth quarter. The win moves Chicago to 11-15 and helps the Sky stay in the race for the playoffs, where they currently hold the eighth and final spot. – Michael Voepel

Next: on Phoenix Mercury on Sunday (9:00 p.m. ET)

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Center | 2.01 m | Match report | Statistics

Last time: Cardoso posted her fourth double-double of the year with 15 points and a season-high 14 rebounds in the Sky’s 90-86 win at Los Angeles on Saturday. She made 6 of 9 shots and had 3 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal. In her two games since the Olympic break, she made 11 of 17 shots (64.7%).

What we learned: After the frustrating loss to Phoenix on Thursday, the Sky found themselves in a difficult position: they were ten points behind away from home at the start of the final quarter on Saturday.

But Sky rookies Cardoso and Reese really stepped up and played well in the fourth period. It’s tough wins like this that can make all the difference in securing a playoff spot. — Voepel

Next: on Phoenix Mercury on Sunday (9:00 p.m. ET)

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Striker | 1.88 m | Match report | Statistics

Last time: It looked like the Sparks might be able to rebound from Thursday’s loss to the Liberty in their first game back from the Olympic break. Instead, Los Angeles took another tough hit, being dominated in the fourth quarter and losing 90-86 to Chicago. Los Angeles has lost five straight home games.

Jackson scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, along with 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. She has scored in double figures in 8 of her 9 games since June 28.

What we learned: Dallas had to part ways with guard Odyssey Sims and forward Monique Billings (both on hardship contracts) this week when Satou Sabally and Maddy Siegrist were reactivated. Sims was signed on Saturday to a seven-day hardship contract from the Sparks, for whom she played in 2017 and 2018.

Sims had 2 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds on Saturday. The Sparks scored in double figures in all five games. But like Thursday against the Liberty, when Los Angeles allowed 103 points, the Sparks’ defense was the biggest problem. They are now 6-20, the same as Dallas, just ahead of last-place Washington at 6-21. — Voepel

Next: in Las Vegas on Sunday (6 p.m. ET)

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Guard | 6 foot | Game log | Stats | Watch: First half recap

Last time: The Fever appeared to be in high spirits on Friday, starting their first game since the Olympic break with a 33-16 lead in the first quarter. The Phoenix Mercury erased the deficit and even took a one-point lead in the third quarter. But Indiana held its composure and won 98-89 in front of another sold-out crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Clark had 29 points, one shy of her season high, 10 assists and five rebounds, as she and teammate Kelsey Mitchell (28 points) outscored Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud, who combined for 51 points.

Clark became the first WNBA rookie to record at least 25 points/10 assists/5 rebounds in multiple games. It was her second such game this season, moving Indiana to 12-15 and remaining in seventh place in the standings.

What we learned: When you throw names like Courtney Vandersloot and Ticha Penicheiro into your mouth when talking about a young WNBA point guard, you know you’re talking about legend level. In her last game before the break on July 17, Clark broke Vandersloot’s single-game assist record with 19. After adding 10 assists on Friday, she has the second-highest two-game total in league history, trailing only Vandersloot’s 30 assists in 2020 when she was with the Chicago Sky.

Clark is just three assists away from breaking Penicheiro’s rookie assist record of 225, which she set with the Sacramento Monarchs in 1998. Penicheiro, who was drafted No. 2 out of Old Dominion in 1998, finished her WNBA career with 2,600 assists in 2012. That’s the third-most assists ever behind Sue Bird’s 3,234 and Vandersloot’s 2,778. Vandersloot, who was drafted No. 3 out of Gonzaga in 2011, is now with the New York Liberty.

Clark said that during the Olympic break she worked primarily on improving her strength.

“I’m ‘discretely’ strong,” Clark said, smiling. “I know I’ll never be the strongest person. I’m trying to put on some weight, and I’ve been training hard in the weight room. There are certain limits to what I can do this season. But over the course of the last three weeks or so, we’ve all been training hard in the weight room.”

“I was in a lot of pain and some days it was hard to shoot. But I think it will help me in the home stretch.” — Michael Voepel

Next: against Seattle Storm on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)