As the WNBA advances through its regular schedule, the focus has shifted toward the dynamic rivalry between Caitlin Clark and rookie Paige Bueckers. This season, Bueckers, the No. 1 overall draft pick, is showing strong performances with a recent streak of three consecutive games scoring over 20 points, positioning herself as one of the league’s rising stars amid the ongoing Caitlin Clark Paige Bueckers rivalry.

Despite Bueckers leading across multiple key metrics including minutes per game, points, steals, shooting percentages, and turnovers, her team—the Dallas Wings—has struggled with an 8-21 record after 29 games. In contrast, last year at the same point, Clark’s Indiana Fever held a much sharper playoff-contending position at 13-16, illustrating a stark difference in team outcomes even as individual excellence shines.

Clark Applauds Bueckers’ Game Ahead of Fever Victory

On Friday night, the Indiana Fever secured an 88-78 win over the Dallas Wings despite Caitlin Clark missing her sixth straight game due to injury. Although Clark participated in just 13 of the Fever’s 29 games so far, her absence did not hinder Bueckers, who scored 22 points to lead the Wings without any other player reaching double digits. Before the game, Clark publicly praised Bueckers’ talent and competitive spirit.

Clark emphasized Bueckers’ versatility and skillset, saying,

You love competing against top-tier talents,

and adding,

I’ve always admired her style and how she handles herself. She’s so fluid in all she does-efficient, deadly from anywhere: long-range, mid-range, at the rim. A true three-level threat. What makes her tough is her versatility. Ultimately, she’s a winner, the kind you build around.

—Caitlin Clark, All-Star Player

The Fever’s balanced attack compensated for Clark’s absence, with Kelsey Mitchell leading the scorers at 23 points and Natasha Howard contributing a double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds, helping maintain Indiana’s competitive edge.

Bueckers has matched much of the season’s hype with averages of 18.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, solidifying her status as an All-Star starter. Her consistent scoring, marked by 11 games with 20 points or more, has drawn comparisons to Clark’s rookie season, when Clark set the rookie scoring record with 769 points. With 425 points to date, Bueckers is on pace to close the gap if she continues her strong performances.

Comparing Bueckers and Clark: Emerging Titans of the WNBA

Looking closely at the first 23 games of their rookie seasons reveals intriguing parallels between Bueckers and Clark, highlighting their similar impact as top collegiate stars transitioning into the WNBA. Bueckers, who earned National Player of the Year honors as a freshman at UConn before battling injuries, was last season’s No. 1 draft pick following UConn’s national title run.

Clark finished her debut season ranked seventh in scoring with 16.7 points per game, while Bueckers presently holds the same position with 18.5 points. Clark averaged 7.6 assists to Bueckers’ 5.5, and 5.9 rebounds to Bueckers’ 3.9, with Bueckers demonstrating higher shooting efficiency at 45% from the field and 34% from three-point range compared to Clark’s 39% field goal percentage and matching three-point accuracy.

Clark’s return date remains uncertain, but Indiana’s ability to remain competitive during her absence underscores the team’s resilience and depth. Currently holding a 16-12 record, the Fever are in a strong playoff position, poised for a potential return to a deep postseason run and aiming to capture their first series victory since reaching the WNBA Finals in 2015. Clark’s influence, both on and off the court, remains pivotal in shaping Indiana’s promising trajectory after ending a seven-year playoff drought last season.