Since her arrival in the WNBA in 2024, Caitlin Clark has divided opinions regarding her performance on the court. One thing is certain, however: her talent is undeniable every time she plays, and she represents a unique asset for the league.
Despite this, there are those who believe she may not be the best fit for her team, the Indiana Fever. For instance, ESPN analyst Carolyn Peck believes the team is better off without her on the court.
Injuries have kept her out of key games
At the beginning of the season, the Indiana Fever star missed five games due to a left quadriceps strain. After returning, she played in five more matchups before suffering another setback-this time a groin strain.
For an athlete like Clark, sitting on the bench is far from easy, as was the case during the Commissioner’s Cup final, a game Indiana won by defeating the Minnesota Lynx. And unfortunately for her, she will once again be just another spectator when the Fever take on the Los Angeles Sparks, marking her fifth missed game since the groin injury.
Despite Clark’s absence, Indiana has performed fairly well. Without her on the court, the Fever hold a 3-1 record. In their latest matchup, they crushed the Las Vegas Aces with a commanding 81-54 victory.
Her teammates have clearly understood the assignment-stepping up and delivering crucial wins. Aliyah Boston, Aari McDonald, and Kelsey Mitchell have stunned fans with their outstanding level of play in these recent games.
No one can deny that Clark’s numbers this season are impressive: 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. However, her teammates have risen to the occasion, elevating their game and giving it their all on the hardwood.
Caroline Peck’s criticism
Sports analyst Carolyn Peck claims that the Indiana Fever has played better without Clark in recent games, as the team no longer depends on a single player-something she believes tends to happen when Caitlin is on the floor.
Look, I think Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play because she’s a ball-dominant guard,
The ball’s in her hands a lot so you know what you need to try to takeaway, but, when you look at Indiana now, they’ve got so many weapons. And Kelsey Mitchell is playing out of her mind. Aliyah Boston, I talked to Stephanie White before the game, she said in year one, Aliyah Boston was back to the basket, year two, two-man game, year three, they’re using her as a decision maker.
And so when you have a point guard like Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald making plays on the perimeter and a post like Aliyah Boston, I’m going to tell you, Indiana, they are a threat. And specifically on the defensive end, Stephanie is so pleased with the intensity they’re bringing defensively with their length, their switches, I mean they’ve wreaked havoc on their last two opponents
said Peck.
Everyone has and expresses their own opinion, but the Indiana Fever will always be more dominant with Caitlin Clark on the court.
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