After a career marked by remarkable durability, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has seen her sophomore WNBA season defined by frustrating injuries. The 2024 Rookie of the Year, who played in over 200 consecutive games dating back to high school, has been sidelined by separate quad and groin strains, forcing her to miss 19 of the team’s 32 contests.
Yet, a season that could have been a write-off has been anything but. Despite the frequent absence of their superstar and recent season-ending injuries to guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson, the Fever (18-14) have not only survived but are positioned for a playoff run. They are projected to surpass last season’s win total and even captured the Commissioner’s Cup championship without Clark. Their resilience can be attributed to a combination of timely scheduling, a formidable defense, and a collective offensive effort.
The timing of Clark’s injuries coincided with a more favorable portion of Indiana’s schedule. In the 19 games she has missed, the Fever’s opponents have had an average net rating of -2.7, compared to a much tougher -0.6 rating for opponents in the games she played. This difference was largely driven by facing weaker defenses, which allowed other players to shoulder the offensive load. While the schedule has become more difficult during her latest 10-game absence, the team has still posted a commendable 6-4 record.
A dramatic defensive turnaround has been the cornerstone of the Fever’s success. Under new coach Stephanie White, who led the league’s top-rated defense in Connecticut last season, Indiana has transformed. After ranking 11th in defensive rating in 2024, the Fever now sit at 8th, an improvement of 7.0 points per 100 possessions—the 15th-largest year-over-year leap in WNBA history. The additions of veteran defenders Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham have bolstered a unit that has consistently carried the team.
With Clark’s league-leading usage rate off the floor, the Fever have compensated through a balanced attack. While no single player can replicate her production, several have elevated their games. Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Howard have increased their scoring, and before her injury, Aari McDonald was averaging 11.6 points on 60.0% true shooting. Sophie Cunningham has been particularly effective, averaging 12.4 points with an exceptional 76.1% true shooting percentage in Clark’s latest absence. Conversely, Aliyah Boston’s efficiency and scoring have dipped without her star point guard, highlighting the team’s ongoing adjustments.
However, it is crucial to frame Indiana’s performance as survival, not a sign that the team is better without its star. The slim one-game difference in their record with Clark (8-5) versus without her (10-9) is misleading. Advanced metrics reveal the full story: Indiana’s adjusted net rating with Clark in the lineup is a dominant +6.4, driven by an offense that would rank third in the WNBA. Without her, that rating drops to -0.3.
Much like the 1994 Chicago Bulls who won 55 games after Michael Jordan’s first retirement, the Fever’s topline record masks the true impact of their missing superstar due to scheduling and other factors. The team’s ability to remain competitive is a testament to its depth and coaching. But for Indiana to reach its championship ceiling, the numbers are clear: it will need a healthy and effective Caitlin Clark back on the court for the postseason.
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