"Caitlin Clark should be up for MVP": Renowned sports commentator heaps praise on Fever rookie's overall impact

Caitlin Clark’s surge since the WNBA resumed action in August has been incredible. Behind her, the Indiana Fever racked up their fifth straight win and are 7-1 after the Olympic break. Indiana started 1-8 but is now 18-16, its best record since 2016.

On Wednesday against the LA Sparks, Clark finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. She is the only rookie in WNBA history with a triple-double and has achieved that feat twice already. Many are convinced the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) race ended with Clark’s string of impressive performances post Olympics break.

With experts deeming the ROTY race over, renowned sports commentator Dan Patrick had this to say about Caitlin Clark’s season:

"I think she should be up for MVP. … A'ja Wilson is the best player in the game, not even a debate. But I'm talking about value, value to a franchise, value to a league, getting your team to the playoffs. … They [Fever] were the worst team last year," Patrick said on the Dan Patrick Show

The Indiana Fever had the worst record in 2022 (5-31) before having the third-worst mark last year (13-27). 2016 was the last time the Fever had made the playoffs. With Clark leading the way, they are back in the postseason. For Patrick, that accomplishment has to earn the rookie MVP nods.

The Fever are firmly in sixth place in the jockeying for playoff positions. They are 2.5 games behind the Seattle Storm (20-13) and 3.5 games behind A’ja Wilson’s Aces (21-12) in the standings. Clark and Co. have a slim chance of overtaking both teams for the fourth spot in the postseason.

The Fever have back-to-back games against the Aces in mid-September. If they can win both, Caitlin Clark’s MVP stock will undeniably get a boost.

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Dan Patrick has Caitlin Clark second to A’ja Wilson in MVP voting

A’ja Wilson has been on a different level this season but the Las Vegas Aces have been struggling for some reason. Perhaps the two-time defending champs are just cruising their way to the playoffs. Or, the Olympics are taking a toll on some of their stars.

Wilson, though, has been on a tear for practically the whole season. Shannon Sharpe even urged the WNBA to give her the MVP award even before the season ended.

Dan Patrick agreed but probably surprised many with his runner-up pick. Here’s what he had to say when asked if he would make Caitlin Clark second in the MVP race:

“Yes! A’ja Wilson is MVP. But I’m talking about the totality of somebody’s value. Her [Clark] value is felt everywhere she goes, every arena she goes. … That’s not fair with statistical categories, but to me, this is something larger than the stats that you’re going to have.”