Caitlin Clark’s absence makes the Fever a mediocre team, as the numbers show

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The Indiana Fever pulled off a remarkable victory in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final-74-59 over the Minnesota Lynx-despite missing their star rookie, Caitlin Clark, who was sidelined with a groin injury.

Trailing by 13 points, the Fever orchestrated an incredible comeback, led by Natasha Howard, who scored 16 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists, earning the game’s MVP honors.

Howard wasn’t the only one contributing. Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald all scored 12 points each, while Sophie Cunningham added 13 points off the bench.

Coach Stephanie White’s defensive game plan was pivotal in limiting the Lynx’s offensive production. Minnesota shot just 34.9% from the field and hit only 4 of their 16 three-point attempts, well below their usual standards.

A major part of the Fever’s win came from neutralizing MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier. Collier, who was averaging a league-best 24.5 points per game, was held to just 12 points on 33.3% shooting.

Howard’s defensive prowess was key, with White praising her ability to make Collier take tough shots: “Her ability to recover, stay disciplined, and make Phee take tough shots really set the tone.”

With Howard’s defense and a collective team effort, the Fever handed the Lynx their worst offensive performance of the season. While Howard rightfully took the spotlight, the absence of Caitlin Clark, who was sidelined due to injury, raised important questions about how the Fever have performed without their star rookie.

Indiana Fever’s record without Caitlin Clark

This season, Caitlin Clark has missed eight games due to injuries. Initially, a quadriceps strain sidelined her for five games in May. After returning to the court, Clark helped the Fever secure a win over the Liberty.

However, Clark is currently out with a groin injury and has missed games against the Sparks, Wings, and Lynx. There is no official timeline for her return, with Coach White referring to her recovery as “day-to-day.”

Without Clark, the Fever have posted a 4-4 record. Their losses came against teams like the Sparks, Dream, Sun, and Mystics. However, in their last two games without Clark, the Fever managed to secure consecutive wins, suggesting they are beginning to adapt to playing without their star.

Although their offense struggles without Clark’s scoring, the team has been finding ways to win through defense and by stepping up collectively.

As the Fever await Clark’s return, they continue to show resilience, which could bode well for their postseason ambitions.

This news was originally published on this post .

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