The Indiana Fever, without Caitlin Clark, registered a big 84-68 win against the Las Vegas Aces, who were also without superstar A’ja Wilson. Even though Tyasha Harris did not seem comfortable shooting, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell were in sync. And that has given rise to another discourse among fans on social media over Clark’s fit in the starting squad.
Clark is currently on the bench due to her nagging back issues, and the Fever have seemed like a completely different team. There have been talks about Clark and Fever head coach Stephanie White’s relationship on and off the court. Analysts have had their opinions about Clark, with some even claiming she was uncoachable.
And now, basketball analyst and host of the YouTube show Mick Talks Hoops, Mick Curley, backed his earlier stance with the team’s recent results. He wrote on X:
“Steph White’s system absolutely works better without Caitlin Clark…
Why I’ve said it from game 2 last year…
You either choose Steph or CC…”
Fans came to the comments section to share their thoughts on Mick’s take. While some supported his view and saw reason in it, others outright negated it. A user wrote:
“If they blow the doors off teams without CC…. Coaching ain’t the problem!!”
Another user supported the analyst and suggested moving Clark out of Indiana:
“Exactly but Fevers fans won’t accept that reality just trade CC
why make her & the team lives miserable trying to change her game to fit into an everybody matters offense that doesn’t suit her skills & strengths? Let her GO! Its best for everyone & we will finally have PEACE“
One more user wanted the franchise to trade Clark:
“It’s crystal clear Caitlin has always been the problem.
Trade bait.
They immediately look like a real team every year when she’s out”
Meanwhile, Clark’s fans were outraged by Mick’s take, as one connected Boston’s numbers to Wilson’s absence:
“Yes Stephanie Whites system works great when players like Aja Wilson arguably the best player didn’t play in the game! Do you really think that Boston would have had 18 points and 10 rebounds against Aja Wilson? What you are saying is White doesn’t know how to coach with talent.”
Another user stated:
“Let her go coach somewhere else than!”
One more Clark fan called this game a “joke”:
“Dude, you think that was a real game? Not very sharp now are you… It was completely obvious to anyone who doesn’t want to lie to themself… It was a joke and this nonsense will never change and those of us with thinking brains know exactly why.”
The Aces seemed like they had no idea what to do with the ball without Wilson. They shot 22-55 from the field and 4-19 from deep. Meanwhile, Mitchell led the Fever with 27 points, while Boston dominated the paint in the absence of Wilson, with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Something similar happened against the Sparks on Jun. 27, as the Fever dominated the game, winning 111-87. Four starters scored in double digits, and Mitchell led with 26 points.
Are the Fever looking good without Caitlin Clark?
Even though the numbers show that the Fever are better without Caitlin Clark this season, going 2-0, the sample size is still too small to define a pattern. Indiana has won two games against teams that were without their first scoring options, the LA Sparks and the Aces.
No doubt White’s system seems better without a point guard facilitating the ball. Someone like Raven Johnson or Harris would fit better with her style of play, playing as connectors and helping the scorers. Sophie Cunningham also had a good shooting game, going 3-5 from deep.
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