At the start of this week, the Indiana Fever were on a five-game winning streak and were considered the best team in the league. However, things in the WNBA can change quickly, as evidenced by the team’s latest loss: a 95-60 blowout to the Phoenix Mercury. This was their widest defeat of the season, losing by 35 points, and their largest since a 36-point loss to the New York Liberty in June 2024.
Indiana’s offense once again looked lost without their star player, Caitlin Clark, who was sidelined for her ninth consecutive game due to a groin injury. Clark has averaged 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in her 13 games played.
Caitlin Clark Praise Aliyah Boston
Before this disappointing outcome, fans were reminded of the team’s inner dynamics during Clark’s appearance on Sue Bird’s “Bird’s Eye View” podcast. There, she praised her teammate, Aliyah Boston, for her skills. “She has such a good feel for the game,” Clark said, calling Boston “the best all-around post player in the league” and “a great facilitator for our team.” This bond has been crucial, but with Clark out, Boston has had to carry more of the load.
Stepping into the spotlight, Aliyah Boston has proven her leadership skills. The three-time All-Star and 2023 first overall pick and Rookie of the Year is averaging 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 steals this season. She’s shooting 54.4% from the field, which is her best mark yet for assists. Across her three-year career, she has maintained averages of about 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in 111 games, establishing herself as a dominant force in the paint.
Named WNBA Player of the Week, Boston’s natural leadership is evident in her double-doubles, defensive plays, and team motivation. As Clark noted on the podcast, Boston’s game sense is invaluable, helping the Fever survive this injury crisis.
Fever’s Upcoming Key Games Without Clark
The Indiana Fever enter a pivotal stretch with injuries reshaping once-marquee matchups. On August 9, they host the Chicago Sky, seeking a fourth win over them this year, but both Caitlin Clark and Chicago’s Angel Reese are sidelined, muting the rivalry’s hype. Indiana will lean on Aliyah Boston’s leadership to stay strong in the playoff race.
Three days later, they face Dallas in what was meant to be a Caitlin Clark-Paige Bueckers showdown. With Clark out, it becomes Boston vs. Bueckers, as the Fever aim for their fourth victory over the Wings. Missing stars on both sides could shift the dynamics, but Boston’s two-way play will be key to keeping Indiana’s postseason push alive.
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