The Indiana Fever are studying what life with out Caitlin Clark seems to be like — and the way shortly the margin for error shrinks with out their lead guard.
In Friday evening’s 85–83 loss to the Connecticut Solar at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever not solely dropped their second straight sport with out the WNBA’s reigning Rookie of the Yr, but additionally misplaced two extra guards to harm, additional testing the depth and chemistry of one of many league’s youngest groups.
Clark is out for not less than two weeks with a left quad pressure and shall be reevaluated June 9. With out her on the ground, the Fever have struggled to seek out consistency in scoring, spacing, and management.
Caitlin Clark’s Absence Reveals On-Courtroom Gaps
Indiana is 2-4 general and now 0–2 with out Clark, who led the group in each scoring and assists earlier than being sidelined. Whereas the offense has proven flashes, it has lacked a gradual facilitator — a problem made worse Friday as each Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham had been compelled to go away the sport with accidents.
Colson, Clark’s veteran backup, suffered a left leg harm within the first quarter and was helped to the locker room. Cunningham, who had stepped into main ball-handling duties, exited within the fourth quarter after aggravating a proper ankle harm — the identical one which stored her out of the season’s first two video games.
“It was sort of like a intestine punch,” Fever head coach Stephanie White stated. “It affected us within the second quarter, little doubt, not having one other main ball handler, and we [have to] take Sophie out of what she does naturally rather well when she has to develop into a ball handler.”
“However the actuality is, these items occurs. We have seen it time and time once more in our league. We won’t take 2½ quarters to determine it out. However I used to be pleased with our battle within the fourth quarter after Sophie went down.”
Indiana completed the evening with solely eight obtainable gamers from an 11-player roster. If Colson and Cunningham stay out, the Fever shall be eligible to signal gamers to 7-day hardship contracts — a brief repair that underscores the group’s present problem: working with out a pure level guard.
A Late Surge Falls Simply Brief
Regardless of the adversity, Indiana almost pulled off a comeback. Trailing by 15 halfway by way of the fourth quarter, the Fever responded with a 17–0 run, sparked by DeWanna Bonner’s three 3-pointers. The sport got here all the way down to the ultimate possession, with Kelsey Mitchell’s off-balance jumper narrowly lacking on the buzzer.
“We weren’t particularly in search of a 3 [on the final possession], only a fast rating,” White stated. “The three-pointer occurred as a result of the inbound move wasn’t executed cleanly.”
Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 17 factors, eight assists (tying her profession excessive), and 5 rebounds. Her first-quarter scoring burst helped Indiana construct early momentum, and her all-around manufacturing made franchise historical past — changing into the quickest Fever participant since 2002 to achieve 100 factors and 50 rebounds in a single season.
Cunningham had 10 factors earlier than leaving the sport. Mitchell added 11, and Damiris Dantas chipped in a season-high 9 off the bench. The Fever have now misplaced 4 video games this season — by margins of 1, 2, 6, and a pair of factors.
Discovering Id By Adversity
Coach White was candid concerning the rising pains the group is dealing with, however she emphasised the chance throughout the hardship.
“There isn’t any query…we’re getting adversity proper now,” White stated. “It is early sufficient within the season we get to seek out an opportunity to get a intestine test second, and to seek out out who we’ll be all through adversity.”
“We won’t management the accidents…who’s on or off the ground…we even have to regulate the issues we will management on the ground and develop in these areas.”
Bonner, a veteran, echoed that message.
“It’s laborious whenever you hold dropping folks and also you’ve obtained to maintain attempting to piece it collectively,” Bonner stated. “We got here in with one sport plan, and then you definately lose your different level guard and also you’ve obtained to pivot on the fly. And we’re a brand new group at that; we’ve obtained all these new items. We simply have to remain collectively and keep constructive. Get by way of the storm.”
Upcoming Schedule
The Fever’s subsequent alternative will come Tuesday evening at dwelling towards the Washington Mystics. After that, they don’t play once more till Saturday versus the Chicago Sky. With simply 4 video games over the following two weeks, the schedule presents an opportunity for relaxation — and doubtlessly the return of Clark, relying on her reevaluation.
“It’s actually laborious to not be outcome-driven,” White stated. “We now have to be process-driven.”
For now, the method is grueling. However in a season nonetheless younger, the Fever are hoping the adversity they’re weathering will develop into the inspiration for future success — and that Clark’s return, every time it comes, will discover a group that’s realized the best way to battle.
