Caitlin Clark returned from injury hoping to pick up where she left off, but her latest outing for the Indiana Fever has sparked mixed reactions from fans and analysts. While her overall performance helped the Fever grab a solid 99-82 victory over the Atlanta Dream, Clark’s individual play was under the microscope after a few uncharacteristic mistakes, particularly a missed layup that went viral on social media.
Though the All-Star rookie guard finished with 12 points, nine assists, and four rebounds in 26 minutes, the conversation online centered more around what she didn’t do than what she did. She went 5-of-17 from the field and just 1-of-7 from three-point range, drawing a wave of reactions – some humorous, some critical.
“Nah man what happened to Caitlin Clark???” asked one fan on X, reacting to the missed layup. “No way bruh. It’s like her and Angel Reese traded places,” they added, referencing Clark’s main rookie counterpart who has recently surged in form.
Despite the online frenzy, the Fever improved to 10-10, reaching a .500 record, a notable benchmark for a team that struggled at the beginning of the season.
Clark’s playmaking remains key, even during a shooting slump
Even with her outside shot failing to fall, Clark continued to make an impact. Her nine assists led the team and were a key reason Indiana’s offense stayed fluid throughout the contest. She found ways to feed Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell in transition, pushing the pace and finding gaps in the Dream’s defense.
It’s worth noting that this wasn’t an isolated shooting slump. Clark had been struggling before her groin injury, hitting just 26.5% from the floor and going 1-for-23 from three-point range in the three games leading up to her time off. Since returning, she’s shot just 3-of-12 from long distance over two games. Yet despite those woes, the Fever have won both contests.
In many ways, that’s what makes Clark special. Even when she isn’t scoring at her usual clip, she still finds ways to elevate her teammates. Her ability to facilitate, handle defensive pressure, and lead as a floor general is rare for a first-year player. She continues to draw double teams and open up the floor, even if she’s not finishing the plays herself. The missed layup that trended online may have been a lowlight, but it doesn’t reflect the totality of Clark’s influence on the court.
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