Today’s WNBA viewing guide: Caitlin Clark, Fever face Rickea Jackson, Sparks in rookie clash

Good morning, WNBA fans! We only get one match-up today, but it’s a nationally-televised one between two of the top rookies in the sports in Caitlin Clark and Rickea Jackson.

Sparks-Fever will tip off on CBS Sports at 7pm ET — here’s what you need to know:

The Fever have to enter this game feeling pretty good about themselves. They just clinched the playoffs for the first time in 8 years, have won 8 of their last 10 games, and the Caitlin Clark-Kelsey Mitchell backcourt is quickly solidifying itself as the best in the game.

Since the Olympic break, Mitchell is averaging 28.3 points per game, second in the league behind A’ja Wilson. Clark, meanwhile, was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second consecutive week and continues her historic rookie season.

The Sparks, on the other hand, have the league’s worst record and have lost 7 of 8 games since the Olympic break, getting outscored by 10.5 points per game, on average. Rickea Jackson has been a massive bright spot, however. She’s led Los Angeles in scoring with 16.1 points per game on 50.5% shooting, including 47.1% from three. it will take a big outing from her to keep the Sparks in this one.

“Rickea is going to be a team scorer even on off nights, and you’re going to see her in the 20s consistently as we go up,” Sparks head coach Curt Miller said after the loss to Atlanta.

Since the break, Dearica Hamby has averaged 12.4 points per game and shot just 16.7% from downtown, a drop-off from pre-Olympic action. Odyssey Sims has been the team’s third-leading scorer with 9.9 points per night since the Olympics.

It will be the third and final time the Sparks and Fever face of this season. Indiana beat Los Angeles 78-73 on May 24, while Los Angeles beat Indiana 88-83 four days later. The two teams haven’t faced off since.

The Sparks-Fever match-up will be streamed on CBS Sports Network.