The Indiana Fever‘s season has been anything but smooth, with injuries forcing constant adjustments to the lineup. Yet under head coach Stephanie White, the team has managed to stay firmly in the playoff hunt. Wednesday’s 107-101 win over the Phoenix Mercury showcased not just resilience but the kind of balanced attack that has quietly defined Indiana’s year.
Caitlin Clark‘s fitness has been one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Fever. The star guard has been limited to just 13 appearances while working through multiple setbacks.
Sophie Cunningham also spent a long stretch sidelined earlier in the season, forcing White to dig deep into her roster. Instead of folding, Indiana has used the adversity to cultivate a stronger core of role players who have grown more comfortable carrying the load when called upon.
After the win over Phoenix, White highlighted how the absence of Clark, though challenging, has had a silver lining.
“We know we look very different without C [Caitlin Clark] on the floor but we’re very difficult to scout when we have this type of balance,” White said. “I think it makes us dangerous. Every single player on our roster has gained experience throughout the course of this season. When one player doesn’t have it, another one does and steps up, and that’s important.”
McDonald leads the charge as Fever showcase depth
The victory against the Mercury belonged to Aari McDonald, who delivered a career night. The 5-foot-6 guard, added during the season to bolster depth, erupted for 27 points and four assists, setting a new personal scoring mark in the WNBA. Her ability to create offense and facilitate in White’s system was a reminder of how much the Fever have gained from players outside of their usual stars.
With Clark unavailable, Indiana has leaned on a collective approach. Aliyah Boston has expanded her offensive role, anchoring the paint while providing steady scoring. Makayla Timpson and Sydney Colson have also stepped into the spotlight at different points, proving the roster’s ability to adapt to shifting circumstances.
The win over Phoenix served as a microcosm of the Fever’s season: a team refusing to be defined by who is missing and instead embracing contributions from every corner of the roster. That depth has made them harder to scout and more unpredictable, an asset that could serve them well down the stretch and into the postseason.
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