With Caitlin Clark threading passes to Aliyah Boston and finding Kelsey Mitchell in transition, she tied the Indiana Fever’s franchise record of 13 assists in a single WNBA game in three consecutive games. It’s a matter of time before she surpasses the francise record.

Then it happened. And more. Right before the All-Star break, Clark passed out 19 assists, not only shatter the Fever record for most assists in one game, but setting a new WNBA record for most assists in one game. Clark now has a handful of games with at least 13 assists in her first season in the league. As her first season progresses, she continues to figure out how to turn the defensive pressure and defensive blitzes into easy shots for Mitchell, Boston and Nalyissa Smith.

WNBA Record for Most Assists in One Game

As we know, there’s a lot of eyeballs on what Clark does on the court, so there’s been increased interest in what the league record is for the most assists passed out in one game.

The previous record for the most assists in a single WNBA game was held by passing guru Courtney Vandersloot.  “Sloot” set the WNBA record 18 assists against the Indiana Fever on August 31, 2020 when the 5’8 point guard was playing for the Chicago Sky.

Prior to Vandersloot passing out 18 assists, the record was 16 initially set by Ticha Penicheiro waaaaay back in 1998 (but has been tied by handful of players). Here’s the six WNBA players that have recorded at least 15 assists in one game.

While there’s a lot of names you’d expect on this list, there are two that we’re surprised we don’t see: Sue Bird and Chelsea Gray. Bird is the league’s all-time leader in assists and Gray is the Point Gawd. They are no doubt two of the league’s best passers of all-time, but they’re right below the 15 assist threshold with Bird and Gray’s single game high at 14.

Courtney Vandersloot’s ability to read the game and deliver pinpoint passes has made her one of the most prolific playmakers in WNBA history. As you can see by the list above, Vandersloot dominates this list; making up nearly half of the instances. Sloot not only holds the record for the most assists in a game but also has multiple entries in the top performances list, with 16 assists on May 23, 2021, and several 15-assist games.

Ticha Penicheiro was the pass-first, pioneering playmaker in the early WNBA days. Ticha set the standard for excellence in passing long before Vandersloot. Penicheiro recorded 16 assists twice in her career, on August 3, 2002, and July 29, 1998, while playing for the Sacramento Monarchs. Known for her flair and creativity on the court, Penicheiro also had multiple 15-assist games.

When we get into the list of players that have 14-assist games, Alyssa Thomas’s name is all over that.

She and Sabrina Ionescu each notched one 16-assist games in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Thomas, the WNBA’s leader in triple doubles, is a versatile point forward that gets her assists through high pick and rolls and catching cutting teammates while Ionescu ability to shoot from distance creates a gravity that she uses to attack the rim or pass off to an open teammate.

Natasha Cloud added her name to the list with a 15-assist performance on September 8, 2023, for the Washington Mystics. WNBA superstar Cappie Pondexter also made her mark with 15 assists on July 15, 2009, for the Phoenix Mercury.

WNBA’s All Time Assist Leaders

When we look at career leaders for assists in the WNBA, Bird is at the top of the lsit with over 3200 assists. Vandersloot is in second and Penicheiero in third. Then there’s legendary point guard for the Minnesota Lync Lindsey Whalen in 4th place. All-time legend Diana Taurasi rounds out the top five.

The list also features WNBA greats in Becky Hammon, versatile Candace Parker, do-it-all Tamika Catchings and one of the league’s early great point guards in Shannon Johnson.