The Indiana Fever's season has been a rollercoaster, marked by the arrival of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and the subsequent scrutiny surrounding her impact on the team. Currently, Clark is sidelined with a right groin injury, leading to questions about the Fever's ability to maintain their competitiveness without her.

The Fever's Performance Without Clark

This season, the Indiana Fever have a 6-7 record without Caitlin Clark. In the games Clark has played, her average plus-minus is 5.3, suggesting the Fever perform better with her on the court. However, some observers suggest that the Fever are "much better without Caitlin Clark". The team went 2-3 without her while she was out with a quad strain and have a 2-1 record since her groin injury. Most recently, the Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 93-78 without Clark.

In a game against the Las Vegas Aces, the Fever secured an 80-70 victory despite Clark's absence. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 21 points, while Natasha Howard contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds. Aliyah Boston also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Fever's ability to shoot well from long range, making 11 of 23 three-point attempts (47.8%), was a key factor in their win.

Fan Reactions and Opinions

The debate over whether the Fever are better with or without Clark has ignited passionate discussions among fans and analysts. Some fans believe the team is more focused and defensively sound without her. Others point to the statistics, which suggest the Fever's winning percentage is higher when Clark plays.

One fan on X (formerly Twitter) suggested, "Am I tripping, or [are the] Indiana [Fever] a better team without Caitlin? They're locked in on the defensive side when she's out". Another fan echoed this sentiment, saying, "Fever [play] better without Clark. That's not a knock on Clark".

Conversely, some fans eagerly await Clark's return. Following an update on Clark's injury, one fan account on X stated, "The best possible news". Another X user chimed in, "No further injuries is the best news we've had in weeks... That's how crappy this year is".

Recent Games and Key Players

In their recent game against the Chicago Sky, the Fever demonstrated their ability to perform without Clark, securing a 93-78 victory. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 35 points, while the team improved to 3-0 in the season series against the Sky. According to coach Stephanie White, the team needs to focus on what they can control. Mitchell has been on a hot streak, averaging 28.3 points in the last three games and leading the team in scoring this season with 20.2 points per game.

Looking Ahead

The Fever are preparing to face the Phoenix Mercury, and it remains uncertain whether Clark will be available. The team is taking a cautious approach to her return, ensuring she has adequate practice time to regain her rhythm and conditioning. In the meantime, the Fever will need to rely on the continued strong performances of players like Mitchell, Howard, and Boston to maintain their competitiveness.

Fan Verdict

In a recent poll, when asked if the Indiana Fever can keep winning without Caitlin Clark long term, out of 397 readers, 186 voted for “Maybe, but not against top teams”.

While the Indiana Fever have shown they can win without Caitlin Clark, the long-term sustainability of their success remains to be seen. The team's performance against top-tier opponents will be a crucial test of their ability to compete without their star rookie.