The Indiana Fever are studying what life with out Caitlin Clark seems like — and the way rapidly the margin for error shrinks with out their lead guard.
In Friday night time’s 85–83 loss to the Connecticut Solar at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever not solely dropped their second straight recreation with out the WNBA’s reigning Rookie of the 12 months, but in addition misplaced two extra guards to damage, additional testing the depth and chemistry of one of many league’s youngest groups.
Clark is out for at the very least two weeks with a left quad pressure and will probably be reevaluated June 9. With out her on the ground, the Fever have struggled to seek out consistency in scoring, spacing, and management.
Caitlin Clark’s Absence Reveals On-Courtroom Gaps
Indiana is 2-4 total and now 0–2 with out Clark, who led the group in each scoring and assists earlier than being sidelined. Whereas the offense has proven flashes, it has lacked a gradual facilitator — a difficulty made worse Friday as each Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham have been compelled to go away the sport with accidents.
Colson, Clark’s veteran backup, suffered a left leg damage within the first quarter and was helped to the locker room. Cunningham, who had stepped into major ball-handling duties, exited within the fourth quarter after aggravating a proper ankle damage — the identical one which stored her out of the season’s first two video games.
“It was sort of like a intestine punch,” Fever head coach Stephanie White mentioned. “It affected us within the second quarter, little question, not having one other major ball handler, and we [have to] take Sophie out of what she does naturally rather well when she has to turn into a ball handler.”
“However the actuality is, these items occurs. We have seen it time and time once more in our league. We will not take 2½ quarters to determine it out. However I used to be pleased with our combat within the fourth quarter after Sophie went down.”
Indiana completed the night time with solely eight accessible gamers from an 11-player roster. If Colson and Cunningham stay out, the Fever will probably be eligible to signal gamers to 7-day hardship contracts — a short lived repair that underscores the group’s present problem: working and not using a pure level guard.
A Late Surge Falls Simply Quick
Regardless of the adversity, Indiana practically pulled off a comeback. Trailing by 15 halfway by the fourth quarter, the Fever responded with a 17–0 run, sparked by DeWanna Bonner’s three 3-pointers. The sport got here all the way down to the ultimate possession, with Kelsey Mitchell’s off-balance jumper narrowly lacking on the buzzer.
“We weren’t particularly looking for a 3 [on the final possession], only a fast rating,” White mentioned. “The three-pointer occurred as a result of the inbound cross wasn’t executed cleanly.”
Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 17 factors, eight assists (tying her profession excessive), and 5 rebounds. Her first-quarter scoring burst helped Indiana construct early momentum, and her all-around manufacturing made franchise historical past — turning into the quickest Fever participant since 2002 to succeed in 100 factors and 50 rebounds in a single season.
Cunningham had 10 factors earlier than leaving the sport. Mitchell added 11, and Damiris Dantas chipped in a season-high 9 off the bench. The Fever have now misplaced 4 video games this season — by margins of 1, 2, 6, and a couple of factors.
Discovering Identification By means of Adversity
Coach White was candid in regards to the rising pains the group is dealing with, however she emphasised the chance inside the hardship.
“There is no query…we’re getting adversity proper now,” White mentioned. “It is early sufficient within the season we get to seek out an opportunity to get a intestine test second, and to seek out out who we will be all through adversity.”
“We will not management the accidents…who’s on or off the ground…we even have to regulate the issues we will management on the ground and develop in these areas.”
Bonner, a veteran, echoed that message.
“It’s onerous while you hold dropping folks and also you’ve bought to maintain making an attempt to piece it collectively,” Bonner mentioned. “We got here in with one recreation plan, and you then lose your different level guard and also you’ve bought to pivot on the fly. And we’re a brand new group at that; we’ve bought all these new items. We simply have to remain collectively and keep constructive. Get by the storm.”
Upcoming Schedule
The Fever’s subsequent alternative will come Tuesday night time at residence towards the Washington Mystics. After that, they don’t play once more till Saturday versus the Chicago Sky. With simply 4 video games over the following two weeks, the schedule gives an opportunity for relaxation — and probably the return of Clark, relying on her reevaluation.
“It’s actually onerous to not be outcome-driven,” White mentioned. “Now we have to be process-driven.”
For now, the method is grueling. However in a season nonetheless younger, the Fever are hoping the adversity they’re weathering will turn into the muse for future success — and that Clark’s return, at any time when it comes, will discover a group that’s realized methods to combat.
