The Indiana Fever were forced to compete for most of the season without their star player and the face of their franchise, Caitlin Clark, as Clark battled lower-body injuries throughout the season.
Clark came into the offseason hoping for a cleaner bill of health this season and looking to get back on the floor (provided the league and players’ union can strike a labor deal), but in the meantime, her competitors are hard on her heels.
One of the fastest rising stars in the women’s game, Vanderbilt Commodores standout Mikayla Blakes, has taken down Clark in the record books.
Mikayla Blakes is HOOPIN' hoopin' 💪
The sophomore's fifth-straight 30-piece vs. Top 25 teams passes Caitlin Clark's 4-game streak in her senior season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KmUhsQOOz9
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) February 27, 2026
Fans reacted to Blakes’ accomplishment on social media.
“Imagine how much national media attention she would get hoopin like this if her name was Caitlin Blakes or Paige Blakes,” one fan joked on Twitter.
“I told y’all they bout to hate her. That 30ppg the next two years gonna hit like crack in 88” someone else added.
“Whatever WNBA team Mikayla goes to (if she goes to the WNBA) will gain me as a fan,” another fan added.
“Crazy thing? They were doubling/blitzing Mikayla like they blitz/double Caitlin the entire game….Didn’t matter for Mikayla….Her 3pt shot was on tonight…..Six threes tonight..3 in the first quarter I think…including a buzzer beater,” another fan added after the Commodores took down the Alabama Crimson Tide.
It’ll be interesting to see if Blakes can challenge Clark’s all-time scoring record.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.