The injury to star playerCaitlin Clark in late July set off alarm bells across Indiana. The superstar, considered the face of the team and one of the most influential players in the WNBA, suffered a groin injury that left fans breathless and their hopes nearly extinguished.
But Clark’s absence didn’t come alone. The Indiana Fever have also had to cope with the losses of Sophie Cunningham, who suffered a torn ACL, and Aari McDonald, who is recovering from a fracture. With so many obstacles in their path, the fight for the playoffs becomes more difficult with each passing day.
Sheryl Swoopes weighs in on Fever’s future
During her appearance on The Women’s Hoops Show, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes analyzed Indiana’s outlook without Caitlin Clark. Alongside Jordan Robinson, she discussed how the franchise still has mathematical chances of making the playoffs, although without their main star, the task becomes monumental.
Swoopes highlighted that despite the absences, the team showed character in July with a five-game winning streak against strong opponents like the Mercury, Aces, and Storm. “I think they have the pieces even if Caitlin doesn’t come back,” said the former star, acknowledging the team’s collective effort.
Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, key to the offense
One of the points Sheryl Swoopes praised most was the performance of Kelsey Mitchell. The shooting guard has become the team’s offensive leader, stepping into the spotlight in Clark’s absence. Her consistency and efficiency have kept Indiana’s hopes alive.
However, the former player noted that Aliyah Boston needs to step up during this critical moment. According to Swoopes, the center has yet to fully unleash her potential and needs to regain confidence to be decisive in the remaining games.
Caitlin Clark and her return
Although fans dream of Caitlin Clark’s return before the end of the regular season, the reality remains uncertain. Coach Stephanie White acknowledged that “the hope is she’ll be back,” but no official date has been confirmed.
The recent signing of veteran Shey Peddy as a replacement due to ongoing difficulties shows that the team is preparing for a scenario without Clark or Cunningham in the short term. The Indiana Fever now face one of the greatest challenges in their recent history: staying in the fight without their brightest stars.
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