When Aliyah Boston entered the WNBA as the top pick in 2023, she was expected to be a franchise cornerstone for the Indiana Fever.
Her rookie year showed flashes of dominance, but this season has brought a new layer of complexity as she adjusts to the rapid pace of play alongside superstar guard Caitlin Clark.
Injuries and roster turnover have only made her role more complicated, leaving Boston as one of the Fever‘s most affected players.
“We know injuries are part of the game, but when one person goes down, we don’t crumble; we remind ourselves, ‘the next woman stands up,'” Boston reflected, summing up the resilience she has leaned on during a turbulent season.
The second-year forward has battled inconsistency while navigating constant changes in the backcourt.
She has shared the floor with a rotating cast of guards, Clark, Aari McDonald,Sydney Colson, and now Kelsey Mitchell, each with their own style of playmaking.
Despite still producing strong individual games, such as a recent 15-point, 6-rebound, 2-assist outing, analysts argue that her potential is being underutilized.
Analysts call for Boston to take on bigger role
On the latest episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, host Tony East pointed out that Boston has struggled not because of a lack of talent, but because of the environment around her.
“Then this year, she didn’t start slow because she explained that she knew the system. She understood the tempo of how the people play.
She got it, right,” East explained. “It was much more natural and easy for her to do all that, right? And so clearly she, like, not requires an adjustment, but when she is more comfortable in a system, in her partnership with a player, she is more effective, right?”
East also emphasized that head coach Stephanie White must ensure Boston is fully engaged in the team’s offensive schemes.
“If she is really energized, setting good screens, getting into open space, getting the ball, demanding attention from the defense, that gives the Fever another way of playing that doesn’t just rely on their ball handlers getting to the cup to bend a defense,” he said.
The Fever‘s playoff hopes could hinge on White’s ability to maximize Boston‘s energy, spacing, and versatility. Without that, the team risks leaving one of its most powerful assets underutilized.
Fever add depth amid injury crisis
The Fever‘s struggles are not limited to Boston‘s adjustments. A rash of injuries has stripped away much of their backcourt depth. Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, and Sophie Cunningham have all gone down, forcing the front office to act quickly.
Indiana signed veterans Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy to short-term hardship deals, but the roster needed more reinforcements.
Shortly after a narrow loss to the Minnesota Lynx, the team added Aerial Powers, also on a seven-day contract. “We have signed Aerial Powers to a 7-day hardship contract. Welcome to Indy, Aerial,” the team announced on social media.
These midseason adjustments highlight the urgency of Indiana‘s situation. Currently sixth in the standings, the Fever are fighting to stay in the playoff picture.
If the new arrivals can provide stability and Boston is given the structure to thrive alongside Clark, Indiana may yet find the formula to close the season strong.
The road to the postseason remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Aliyah Boston‘s role could determine how far the Fever go.
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