It’s been over a month since Caitlin Clark last suited up for the WNBA, and nearly two since her unforgettable moment, dropping nine points in 38 seconds to propel the Indiana Fever (18-14) past the defending champion Liberty (20-11). That game marked her first return from injury this season, one of two brief comebacks. Since that moment, in the eight games she’s played out of the Fever’s 23, Clark’s output-13.3 points, 8.6 assists, and a mere 11-of-55 from three (20%)-hasn’t matched the brilliance seen in her injury-free days.
At Iowa, she played 139 games over four years without missing a beat, and her Rookie of the Year season with Indiana was no different. Yet, her assist numbers remain a bright spot, as she still holds the WNBA single-season assist record (337) and single-game mark (19) from her debut year. Despite her struggles, Clark has been impressed by how her team has thrived without her, keeping playoff hopes alive under coach Stephanie White’s leadership.
Fever’s Resilience Shines Without Clark
At the season’s outset, imagining Caitlin Clark sidelined by multiple injuries would’ve spelled doom for the Indiana Fever. Yet, their 10-9 record without her proves otherwise-not the dream season, but far from a collapse. With 12 games left in the expanded 44-game schedule (up from 40 due to the Golden State Valkyries’ addition), the Fever need five wins to top last year’s 20-20 mark, their best since 2016 and first playoff trip in seven years.
According to ESPN’s Neil Paine, several factors explain their success sans Clark. A favorable schedule has helped, with opponents in Clark’s absences averaging a -2.7 net rating compared to -0.6 when she plays, largely due to weaker defenses (allowing 0.9 fewer points per 100 possessions). The Fever’s defense has also transformed, climbing from 11th to 8th in the league, cutting 1.0 points per 100 possessions below average-a 7.0-point improvement, among the WNBA’s best ever.
Meanwhile, players like Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard, and others have stepped up, balancing the 31.4% usage rate Clark commands. Despite a tougher recent slate and a 35-point loss to Phoenix, their worst this year, the Fever have gone 6-4 in their latest stretch, showcasing their depth.
Playoff Push Continues as Clark’s Return Looms
Although the exact date of Caitlin Clark’s return remains unclear, the Fever must maintain their winning mindset and cannot afford to rely on the return of the world’s most popular player. Today, they face Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings (8-24), a team they have beaten in all three matchups this season, twice without Clark. Next, they will host Washington’s impressive rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, before facing the league’s worst team, the Connecticut Sun (5-26).
With nine games left after this week, a fit-again Clark returning for the final four or five could spark a playoff run. If she regains her rhythm and the team maintains its current form, the Fever could be formidable opponents. This would echo 2015, when Stephanie White led the team to the Finals in her first stint as Fever coach, only to fall short. Could this be a déjà vu moment for a playoff breakthrough?
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