Since the historic WNBA season resumed after the Olympic break, one of the hottest and most in-form teams is the Indiana Fever (18-17), led by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. The Fever have secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. With seven of the eight playoff teams already decided, the final 12 days of the season will determine playoff seeding and who claims the eighth spot among the Chicago Sky (12-22), Atlanta Dream (12-22), and Washington Mystics (11-23). However, whoever clinches that final spot will likely face a daunting challenge against the potential top-seeded New York Liberty (28-6), who are poised for a deep playoff run.
Clark’s Explosive Emotions
In yesterday’s 88-99 loss to the Minnesota Lynx (25-9), the Fever had a strong start, leading 50-45 at halftime. However, the Lynx made key adjustments in the third quarter, while some Fever players seemed to lose focus, allowing Napheesa Collier (26 points, 10 rebounds) and the Lynx to outscore them 29-12 in the third quarter, taking a 12-point lead into the final period. The youth of the Fever was evident as several foul calls were met with increasing disbelief. Emotions ran high as Clark and Aliyah Boston focused as much on the officials as on the game itself, with Boston earning her third technical of the season.
In the post-game press conference, Clark expressed her frustration:
I was frustrated and thought I got fouled a couple times in the second half on mid-range jump shots. It happens. Sometimes you get calls, sometimes you don’t. It is what it is… I think I could have done a little bit better job controlling my own emotions. I think there’s a line and sometimes your passion, your emotion can get to you, but that’s not something I would ever change or anybody on our team would ever change.
Clark, at just 22 years old, is still learning to control the highs and lows of playing in high-stakes games. While her passion is undeniable, she must harness it as the playoffs approach in two weeks, where composure will be crucial. Indiana coach Christie Sides also felt the intensity of the game: “That felt like playoff basketball and that’s what I just kept telling our players.” With the Fever likely facing either the Lynx or the Connecticut Sun (24-10) in the playoffs, the stakes are only getting higher.
Fever’s Remaining Games
The Fever have five games left in the regular season, with four of them at home, giving them a chance to climb higher in the standings. Two of these games will be particularly challenging, as they face the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces (22-12), who boast MVP favorite A’Ja Wilson, a top-five player in nearly every statistical category. Beyond those matchups, the path seems “easier” for the Fever and Caitlin Clark, but games are won on the court, not on paper.
Clark, the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and a top-three candidate for MVP according to several sportsbooks, leads all rookies in nearly every category and tops the league in assists and three-pointers made. She also has the rookie record for most three-pointers and is the first rookie to record a triple-double in WNBA history, shes’s now done it twice, among many other accolades
