Most Assists in a Single WNBA Game

The assist in a basketball game represents the smooth teamwork within a team. Assists weave the threads of a basketball play where players pass on the ball to maintain the flow of the game. During a basketball game, when a player passes a ball to another player, who ultimately scores the basket, then the one passing the ball would be the assist to score the basket. The assist in a basketball game not only displays a shrewd sense of play but is also representative of the teamwork among the players.

These passes or assists usually result in better scoring opportunities and an efficient ball movement. In the context of the WNBA, the assists in a game showcase how much the players are in setting up the game plan. It encompasses the collaborative nature of the basketball sport along with players and individual prowess on the court. At a personal level, the assists highlight the court vision, basketball IQ, and the sense of timing of the WNBA player.

When we think of WNBA assist all-time leaders like Courtney Vandersloot and Sue Bird, it flashes in mind that these players did not just score the basket but also made their team get baskets through their passes. Though various new players, including the rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, have started to shadow the records of assists set by aforementioned legends, they are still dominant in the single-game assist records in the WNBA. Let’s take a look at some of these players who continue to set at the top of the game when it comes to passing the ball on the basketball court.

WNBA Single Game Assist Records

Here is the primary info on the WNBA single-game assist leaders who have set the bar high in terms of ball movement for the pro-ballers.

1. Caitlin Clark – 19 Assist

The 2024 season was one of the greatest rookie performances from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Amid all of the buzz that the media continued to address to her, she broke a WNBA record last season on July 14. In a Wednesday night matchup between Indiana Fever and the Dallas Wings, Clark made 19 assists with her teammates in an attempt to score a basket. The deciding assist came with only 2:22 remaining till the end of the fourth quarter, where Clark set up Kelsey Mitchell for a three-pointer.

It brought the Fever’s score to 93 in a tie with the Dallas’ score. However, the Wings players moved forward with an 8-0 streak in the final moments of the game to eventually clinch the victory from the opposite side. Unfortunately, Caitlin Clark’s record could not aid her team to win the match. However, she was content about her new league record as he confessed later to The Guardian, “I just try to set my teammates up for success. I think at times I can almost overpass.”

Quite humble, considering her fan following within the league! Well, let’s move ahead to the other players on the single-game assist record list.

2. Courtney Vandersloot – 18 Assist

Courtney Vandersloot holds the second place in the WNBA world for most single-game assists. However, it is not just one rank that Courtney is acquiring. She holds rank 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24, 27, and 29. So, the incidents are not scarce since Courtney also holds second place on the All-Time assist record in the WNBA, following leader Sue Bird. However, one of the highest assists games that is iconic is from her Chicago Sky’s match against the Indiana Fever team on August 31, 2020.

The thrilling assist from Courtney Vandersloot of the Sky came with just north of three minutes available on the scoreboard. She passed the ball to Ruthy Hebard once she witnessed two defenders approaching her from the paint. Eventually, the setup paid off, and eventually, Chicago Sky won by a 33-point margin, dishing out 100 points in total. She was called the ‘Floor General’ as she would marshal offensive plays and sling spot-on passes through the heavy defense.

She broke the record of Ticha Penicheiro at that time as she later said to AP, “I thought this record was untouchable Ticha set the bar very, very high. I don’t think this one will be touched very often. It’s tough to get 16 assists in a game. This one is really special. My teammates were knocking down shots.”

Also Read: 2025 WNBA All Star Game Players to Watch

3. Alyssa Thomas – 16 Assist

The single-game assist milestone popped up in the life of WNBA player Alyssa Thomas on September 5, 2023. It happened during the game between the Connecticut Sun and the Los Angeles Sparks where Thomas made a tripe-double on that night against the opposition. She dished out 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists leading the Sun to the victory over the Sparks with the 90-76 scoreline.

It was a pivoting moment in Alyssa Thomas’ basketball career as her performance for the Sun showcased her all-round abilities in their full form. Above all, her 12-assist record was a testament to her dynamic court vision. She not only kept the game tempo in favor of the Connecticut Sun but also maintained the flow of the ball to create scoring opportunities for a team with the assists.

4. Sabrina Ionescu – 16 Assist

July 31, 2022, was a special day for Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty as she became the fourth player in the WNBA history to put up 16 assists on the board. Her achievement came against Phoenix Mercury in a regular season game in which she tallied 10 points, 8 rebounds, and recorded 16 assists. Ultimately, the Liberty won that match over Mercury by 20 points.

Achieving the historic feat, she joined Courtney Vandersloot and Ticha Penecheiro on the record list. It was a remarkable showcase of Sabrina’s playmaking vision on the court and her commitment to the team.

5. Ticha Penicheiro – 16 Assist

Hall of Famer and 4x WNBA All-Star Ticha Penicheiro was a legend in all sense, and her June 5, 2002 performance in the context of playmaking is a testament to it. She set a single-game assist record on that night while playing against the Seattle Storm. She used to play for the Sacramento Monarchs at that time and was an excellent passer on the basketball court.

She was acknowledged for her accurate passing abilities and the acumen to control the pace of the game. Her legacy was so robust that she led the WNBA in assists for seven times during her career. Even the single-game assist record belonged to her until Sabrina broke her record after almost twenty years. The fact that it took many years for a player to come and break that record stands best to the status of Ticha Penicheiro as a pro hooper.

6. Natasha Cloud – 15 Assist

While playing for the Washington Mystics on July 26, 2023, guard Natasha Cloud set a milestone as a playmaker on the court. She paired with teammate Brittney Sykes to become one of the seven players in the WNBA history to make 15 assists. With Cloud’s aid on the court, Sykes tallied about 17 points from the basket.

It was a great showcase of Natasha’s prowess in terms of assists on the court in the WNBA world. Even Sykes confessed to The Next, “There have been times where we don’t think we’re open and she manages to find us. So it’s really, really clutch to just have somebody like her.”

However, it was just a regular day at the job for Cloud as he later revealed to the media, “My job is to find my scorers and find my shooters. So that’s what I tried to do, just really control our offense, take what the defense is giving and make reads.”

7. Cappie Pondexter – 15 Assist

Former WNBA player and 7x WNBA All-Star Cappie Pondexter also set a 15-assist record while playing for Phoenix Mercury on July 20, 2009. Her performance came out against the Seattle Storm matchup where she tailed behind the Mercury’s offense to take the lead for ball movement. The 15-assist record from the Mercury guard showed her mettle in playmaking on the court.

It added to her legacy as one of the top playmakers of the game and etched her name in the world of basketball.

Also Read: Top WNBA Shot Blocks Leaders of All Time in History

8. Jackie Young – 15 Assist

On August 24, 2022, Jackie Young marked another achievement in her pro basketball career as she hit the 15-assists record while playing for the Las Vegas Aces. The mashup of the Aces guard was against the Chicago Sky, where she showcased quick passes across the court to help the offense lead her team to victory.

9. Chelsea Gray – 14 Assist

The Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray is another one on the single assist record list who hit her milestone on September 8, 2021. Gray made 14 assists in the game against the Minnesota Lynx and brought victory to the Aces with a 102-81 scoreline. This game not only set a new franchise record but also highlighted Gray’s remarkable ability to make plays and scan the court for space.

10. Diana Taurasi – 14 Assist

Diana Taurasi, commonly known as the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time), has delivered many remarkable showings during her successful WNBA career. However, she holds the single-game assist record with 14 assists, set on June 30, 2014. She set the record against the Tulsa Shock while being a Mercury player. She has numerous accolades to her name multi-championship winner and scoring leader.

Therefore, the single-game assist record is just another feather to her cap that highlights her all-around skills on the court.

FAQ-