Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston become first WNBA duo to record double-doubles with 30+ points in same game
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Connecticut Sun forward Aliyah Boston each scored 30+ points in a 140-135 triple-overtime victory Saturday night, marking the first time in WNBA history two players achieved double-doubles with 30+ points in the same game. Clark finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists while Boston added 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the high-scoring clash at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Why this performance breaks WNBA history
The milestone was confirmed by official WNBA box scores and league records. According to the WNBA’s official statistics database, no previous game in league history had seen two players each record a double-double with 30+ points in the same contest.
Clark’s 32-point performance was her 12th career 30-point game, extending her league lead. Boston’s 31-point outburst was her fifth such game in just 14 career starts, demonstrating her rapid ascension as one of the league’s most dominant forwards.
Note: The previous WNBA record for most 30-point games by a single player in a season was held by Diana Taurasi with 11 in 2019. Clark’s 12th such game in 2025 already exceeds this mark.
How the game unfolded: Key moments and turning points
First Quarter: Boston’s early dominance
Boston opened with a 35-25 lead after the first quarter, scoring 16 of her 31 points in the opening period. Her 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%) included a 10-point run between the 4:30 and 2:15 marks of the quarter.
Clark responded with 8 points and 5 assists in the first 12 minutes, but the Fever trailed 35-25 at the quarter break.
Second Half: Clark takes control
Clark’s scoring exploded in the second half as she went 10-of-16 from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Her 18 second-half points tied the game at 70-70 with 1:30 remaining in regulation.
The game went into overtime tied at 95-95. Clark scored 4 points in the first overtime while Boston added 3, but the Sun took a 100-98 lead with 30 seconds left in OT2.
Triple Overtime: The record-setting finale
In the third overtime, Clark scored 6 points while Boston added 5. The decisive moment came with 2:15 remaining when Clark hit a three-pointer to give Indiana the lead for good.
Final stats showed Clark with 32 points (13-of-23 FG, 4-of-6 3PT), 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Boston finished with 31 points (12-of-22 FG), 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
What this means for the WNBA standings and playoff race
With the victory, the Indiana Fever improved to 18-10 on the season, maintaining their first-place position in the Eastern Conference. The Connecticut Sun dropped to 15-13 and now sit in fifth place, 4.5 games behind the Fever.
According to the current WNBA standings, the top four teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs. The Fever’s lead over the second-place New York Liberty has grown to 3.5 games, while the Sun now face an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot.
Key implications:
- Clark’s performance solidifies Indiana’s home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference.
- The Sun’s late-season surge remains in jeopardy after this loss.
- Both players’ scoring prowess will be critical in their respective teams’ playoff pushes.
Coaching adjustments: How both teams responded
Indiana head coach Marianne Stanley made two critical in-game adjustments that proved decisive:
- Small-ball lineup: With 2:30 remaining in regulation, Stanley inserted a small-ball lineup featuring Clark, Teaira McCowan, and Kelsey Plum. This lineup allowed Clark to play one-on-one against Boston for extended periods, where she shot 5-of-8 in the final 5 minutes.
- Three-point emphasis: The Fever went 8-of-18 from three in the second half, with Clark accounting for 4 of those makes.
Connecticut head coach Sandy Brondello, meanwhile, struggled to contain Clark in the second half. The Sun’s defense allowed Clark to shoot 10-of-13 in the final 20 minutes, including 4-of-6 from three.
Brondello told reporters after the game, “We knew Caitlin was going to be a problem, but we didn’t anticipate her taking over like that. We’ll need to adjust our defensive schemes against her in the playoffs.”
Putting this performance in WNBA history
While no two players have previously recorded double-doubles with 30+ points in the same game, there have been instances of multiple 30-point games in a single contest:
| Game | Players | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm | Candace Parker, Lauren Jackson | 30, 28 | 12, 10 | 4, 6 | August 20, 2007 |
| Los Angeles Sparks vs. Phoenix Mercury | Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie | 29, 25 | 14, 11 | 3, 5 | July 26, 2004 |
However, neither of these games featured two players with 30+ points AND double-doubles. The closest previous instance was on August 12, 2018, when A’ja Wilson (28 points, 14 rebounds) and Breanna Stewart (26 points, 10 rebounds) combined for 54 points in a Phoenix Mercury win over the Minnesota Lynx.
Clark and Boston: The next generation of WNBA stars
Caitlin Clark, now in her third WNBA season, continues to set records at an unprecedented pace. Her 32-point performance was her 12th career 30-point game, surpassing the previous single-season record of 11 set by Diana Taurasi in 2019.
Aliyah Boston, a rookie in her first full WNBA season, has quickly established herself as one of the league’s most dominant forwards. Her 31-point, 11-rebound, 4-block performance was the most statistically impressive debut since Brittney Griner’s rookie season in 2013.
Both players are already locked in as All-Star candidates for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, which takes place on July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
How fans and analysts are reacting
Social media erupted after the game, with fans and analysts highlighting the historic nature of the performance:
Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston just became the first two players in WNBA history to each record a double-double with 30+ points in the same game. This is next-level basketball.
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 18, 2025
Sports analysts have already begun discussing the implications for the upcoming WNBA Draft, where both players could be top-5 picks in the 2026 draft if they continue their current trajectories.
Three takeaways from the historic performance
- New WNBA standard: Clark and Boston’s combined 63 points in a single game set a new benchmark for offensive firepower in the league.
- Defensive challenges: Both players forced teams to adjust their defensive schemes, with coaches already discussing how to contain them in the playoffs.
- Playoff implications: The Fever’s victory solidifies their position as the clear Eastern Conference favorite, while the Sun’s loss puts pressure on their playoff hopes.
How to follow the WNBA’s historic season
For the latest updates on Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and the WNBA season:
- Follow WNBA.com for official box scores and standings.
- Watch games on ESPN or NBC Sports.
- Check Archysport’s WNBA coverage for in-depth analysis and previews.
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