The Indiana Fever have been walking a tightrope all season. A roster meant to build on Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking rookie year instead had to survive long stretches without her. The sophomore star has missed 27 games, sidelined by lingering soft tissue injuries and a nagging bone bruise. Head coach Stephanie White has refused to put a timetable on Clark’s return, leaving the Fever to patch holes while trying to stay playoff relevant.
That patchwork hasn’t been without success. Aari McDonald turned an emergency contract into meaningful minutes before going down herself. Sydney Colson followed her to the injury report. Their replacements, Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy, steadied the backcourt and kept Indiana’s season alive. But in the background of this survival story, one YouTuber suggested Clark’s absence may have saved a veteran’s roster spot.
Larry Rhodes, speaking on his Black and White Sports channel, floated the theory that Natasha Howard would have been the odd woman out if Clark had been healthy all year.“I have a sneaking suspicion that if Caitlin Clark would have played this whole season, Natasha Howard might already be off this team,” Rhodes said, adding that the forward’s season could have ended in a “DeWanna Bonner kind of meltdown.”
Howard’s Season Under the Microscope
Howard’s numbers paint a complicated picture. She’s started all 40 games and averaged 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists – her lowest production since 2018, per Basketball Reference. Mistakes have been costly: foul trouble, turnovers, and inconsistent shooting. In a recent loss to the Golden State Valkyries, she finished with 13 points and six rebounds, but drew sharp criticism for “amateur” errors in crucial moments.
And yet, the flashes are still there. Howard powered the Fever to a Commissioner’s Cup win earlier this summer, posting 16 points and 12 boards and taking home the game’s MVP. Afterward, she reminded fans she sets the bar high for herself: “I’m someone who puts high expectations on myself,” she wrote.
This duality is what makes Rhodes’ claim so controversial. While Howard has undeniably slipped from her peak form, she still offers veteran stability – something the Fever desperately need while Clark recovers.
The Bigger Picture for Indiana
The Fever enter the stretch run clinging to the seventh playoff seed. Kelsey Mitchell continues to shoulder the scoring load, but Clark’s absence leaves the offense predictable at times. White has told her players to treat every game “like a playoff game,” knowing the Sparks are on their heels with a 4-0 head-to-head edge.
Clark, meanwhile, has begun individual drills and non-contact work, according to The Athletic, with a target return before the regular season closes September 9. A timely comeback could not only silence chatter about Howard’s role but also reshape Indiana’s postseason chances.
Until then, speculation swirls. Did Clark’s injury buy Howard more time to work through her struggles?Or would the Fever have leaned on her experience regardless? Either way, the team’s playoff hopes may hinge less on YouTube hot takes and more on whether Clark can make it back in time to carry Indiana across the finish line.
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