How the Indiana Fever have stayed afloat with out Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark is the centrepiece of the Indiana Fever, which is apparent. But, the 2024 Rookie of the 12 months has been on the bench greater than she has been on the court docket this season, as she has struggled with accidents. First, it was a quadriceps pressure, then got here the primary groin pressure, and the second adopted shortly after. This newest stint has seen Clark out since earlier than the WNBA All-Star break, and the Fever haven’t any timeline for her return.

Earlier than the season, many individuals had the Indiana Fever ranked to compete with the highest groups within the WNBA and end the season within the high three. Clark’s absence has barely derailed these plans, however the Fever have discovered a rhythm in Clark’s newest break from the court docket. Proper now, the Indiana Fever sit in sixth place league-wide, with a report of 16-12, slowly separating themselves from the .500 stage they’ve been at or under for the final a number of seasons. Clark has solely performed in 13 of these 28 video games, lacking greater than she’s performed at this level.

So, how have the Fever managed to remain afloat with out their star? There are just a few parts — the primary being that Indiana has taken full benefit of the mid-season free-agency market. As quickly as Clark was out the primary time, the Fever went and signed Aari McDonald, who had been waived by the LA Sparks. As Jacob particulars within the linked publish, McDonald was top-of-the-line choices the Fever might have grabbed at her place mid-season. The Fever additionally just lately signed Chloe Bibby to a rest-of-season contract, one other nice pick-up for them.

Indiana has additionally actually leaned into the play of Aliyah Boston, their No. 1 draft choose from 2023. Boston is averaging a career-high 15.5 factors per sport in 2025, up 1.5 factors per sport from 2024. She’s tried 11.3 area targets per sport, and she or he is as much as taking pictures 54.4% from the sphere. Prioritizing getting Boston going is a good technique to carry robust till Clark returns, as a result of Clark is so good at discovering Boston within the publish. There gained’t be a lot to regulate to as soon as Clark is again, as they will enable her to facilitate an already sizzling Boston whereas getting her personal sport again to the place it often is.

Indiana managed to position McDonald briefly within the guard place whereas Clark heals, whereas additionally getting her pick-and-roll companion in Boston to private greatest numbers. A rested Clark and a fired-up Boston just isn’t a combo groups will wish to see within the playoffs. Even when Indiana isn’t capable of climb up into the highest 4 and achieve homecourt benefit, they may nonetheless have a big benefit with Clark champing on the bit to return in time for the postseason. If her relaxation helps greater than the rust hurts, the Fever could possibly be a harmful darkish horse.