The Indiana Fever‘s recent loss to the Golden State Valkyries stirred up more than just frustration over the scoreboard. Despite Caitlin Clark‘s return to the court, the narrative has shifted toward whether the team is better off without her on the floor, especially as she goes through a noticeable shooting slump.
While Clark‘s presence has long been seen as transformative, some comments from within the team and analysis from outside have reopened the conversation on how the Fever truly function with their star guard at the helm.
Lexie Hull, while not as direct as head coach Stephanie White, raised eyebrows with her comments following the defeat. Referring to the Commissioner’s Cup final, Hull reflected on the team’s energy and focus.
“We raised to the occasion when we’re playing for $30,000 [in the Cup final] and we need to bring that level of focus and that level of energy every single day,” Hull said. The implication that the team played with greater intensity without Clark has only fueled speculation about the chemistry with the No. 1 overall pick on the court.
That speculation gained traction thanks to remarks from ESPN’s Carolyn Peck. Speaking on the Fever’s versatility, she offered a bold take.
“I think that Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play,” Peck said. “Because she’s a ball-dominant guard. The ball is in her hands a lot, so you know what you need to try to take away. But when you look at Indiana now, they’ve got so many weapons.”
Clark’s shooting struggles deepen the scrutiny, but her playmaking is still elite
Sophie Cunningham added her perspective as well. While she tried to balance her words, her comments only further inflamed the debate.
“I think that everyone saw that we kind of got some flow when Cait was hurt, and our offense was clicking,” Cunningham said recently. Though she added, “we have to have a new offense when she’s in there, because she just brings that much to the game,” it was the first part of her quote that made the rounds.
After the Fever’s game against Atlanta, Cunningham again noted, “Uh yeah, I think that um our team kind of got in a groove uh honestly when Caitlin got hurt um and we were playing good offense, uh good defense.
“But we’re a whole different team when she isn’t (injured). And so we have to learn how to adjust, how to get her involved, how to keep people who are hot hot.”
Clark’s recent slump has made her an easy target. In the three games prior to her injury, she was just 1-for-23 from beyond the arc and shot 26.5 percent from the field. Since returning, those struggles have continued, as she’s just 3-of-12 from three-point range in the last two outings. However, her ability to contribute in other areas remains strong.
Against Atlanta, Clark dished out 9 assists and grabbed 4 rebounds. The game before that, she tallied 6 assists and 5 boards, further evidence that even when her shot isn’t falling, she’s actively lifting others.
Read the full article here
