It’s a fact that Indiana Fever’s season has been marked by injuries, a scenario that forced the franchise to rely on hardship contracts to keep their roster competitive. Odyssey Sims is the clearest example: she arrived on a seven-day deal after the simultaneous injuries of Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson, and ended up becoming a key piece of the team.
However, Caitlin Clark’s imminent return puts the team at a crossroads. With Shey Peddy, Odyssey Sims, and Aerial Powers all on temporary contracts, WNBA rules would require the release of one of them once Clark is back. This creates a puzzle in the locker room that, as Tony East explained on the Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast, will have immediate consequences for the team’s rotation.
Indiana Fever’s big challenge
Currently, the WNBA allows a maximum of 12 players on the roster. Today, Indiana has only nine healthy players, which justifies the use of hardship contracts. But with Clark’s return, that number will rise to ten and force the team to let go of one player.
Tony East detailed that the decision won’t be easy: keeping Sims as a reliable backup at guard, retaining Shey Peddy’s experience as a ball-handling insurance, or betting on Aerial Powers to strengthen the wing rotation. In a season where injuries have mostly hit the guards, any move could tip the balance as the calendar winds down.
Aliyah Boston, the cornerstone amid the chaos
Amid the uncertainty, Aliyah Boston has become Indiana Fever’s most stable player. With her presence in the paint, she has provided solidity to a team that has been forced to improvise at point guard following the absences of Clark, McDonald, and Colson.
Her impact was evident in the recent win against the Los Angeles Sparks, a team that had already beaten Indiana three times this season. With a decisive steal in the final seconds and leadership from Odyssey Sims, who scored 21 points, the Fever overcame a double-digit deficit and won 76-75, staying in the playoff hunt.
Indiana Fever’s immediate future
The big question is how the team will handle Caitlin Clark’s return. While the star accelerates her recovery, management will have to make a tough decision that will affect both the locker room and on-court chemistry.
In a season finale where every game counts, Indiana Fever will need to find the perfect balance between experience, talent, and depth if they want to keep their playoff dream alive.
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