Are Caitlin Clark And The Indiana Fever Starting To Figure It Out?
After a tough start to she season, superstar Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have won four straight.
The Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark have been leading a revolution in the WNBA this season, but doing so with a disappointing record. This looks like it’s starting to change. The Fever are winners of four straight. They currently hold the lowest seed in the playoff bracket, but they’re surging. What’s changing for the Fever?
First off, their defense has been on lockdown. Indiana has held their opponents to an average of 81.75 points over their streak, holding Atlanta to only 79 in their most recent game. This is a remarkable improvement. Opponents of the Fever averaged 89.76 PPG over the first 13 games of the season and scored 100 points or more three different times.
The Fever have upped their offensive production in tandem with their improved defense. Indiana’s PPG average has jumped to 90.25 over their four-game streak, compared to 84 previously. Caitlin Clark’s ability to pass continues to improve. She has become more daring, threading the needle with superb accuracy in tough situations. Clark racked up 12 boards and 18 points in their win against the Washington Mystics, continuing to make a strong case for Rookie of the Year.
Clark isn’t doing this all on her own. Teammates such as NaLyssa Smith have been crushing it. Smith enjoyed one of her best nights of the season against Atlanta. She put up 21 points and pulled down 9 rebounds (all defensive) in the Fever’s 91-79 win. Aliyah Boston has averaged 11 rebounds during the win streak, and managed five blocks in during the Fever’s victory over the Chicago Sky.
There are still things that need improving, though. Caitlin Clark’s problems with turnovers persist. She gave the ball up seven times against Atlanta and averages nearly six per game this season. Clark remains a target for opposing players. Her teammates seem reluctant to come to her defense when she falls victim to cheap shots and flagrant fouls. Alienating your superstar is never going to be a winning strategy. The Fever need to find a way to get to the line more and keep the other team off it. Their free-throw differential favors their opponents by four attempts per game.
Overall, the Indiana Fever are just playing better. They look more coherent. The offense is flowing more smoothly. They are gaining confidence that they sorely lacked during the beginning of the season. Indiana started the season by losing five in a row and were only 2-8 ten games in. Now sitting at 7-10, they are surging at exactly the right time. The Fever will have their momentum put to the test before the All-Star break, with upcoming games against powerhouses such as the Seattle Storm, New York Liberty, and Las Vegas Aces. If the Fever can hold their own going into the All-Star break, we’re in for a serious second half of the season.
***
Get more WNBA news here!
Subscribe to Vendetta on YouTube!
Check us out on TikTok!
