The eagerly awaited first professional encounter between Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers could be delayed as Clark’s participation remains uncertain due to injury. Indiana Fever’s star may sit out Friday night’s game against Bueckers’ Dallas Wings because of a left groin injury that sidelined her in Thursday’s loss to the Los Angeles Sparks in Indianapolis.
Both Clark and Bueckers earned the top overall picks in the 2023 and 2024 WNBA drafts respectively, raising expectations for a marquee matchup. However, Clark’s injury issues have interrupted her season, including an earlier quad problem.
Fever’s Struggle Without Clark in Recent Games
Indiana managed a competitive game for three quarters against Los Angeles without Clark, but the Sparks outscored them 35-17 in the fourth quarter, handing Indiana an 85-75 defeat. This drop contributed to a 2-4 record in matches where Clark has been absent, highlighting her importance to the team.
Indiana head coach Stephanie White reflected on the team’s difficulties in closing out games, stating,
“We haven’t shown a killer instinct yet,”
and added,
“It’s just a moment of mental lapses or mental relaxation that you can’t have in this league.”
The Fever’s challenges included too many careless possessions and undervaluing scoring opportunities late in games.
Wings Find New Momentum with Bueckers and Yueru
While Bueckers leads the Dallas Wings in scoring, assists, and steals, another recent acquisition has energized the team. Li Yueru joined the Wings in a mid-June trade with the Seattle Storm and has since been a key contributor on both ends of the floor.
Dallas started the season with a disappointing 1-11 record but has rallied to win three of its last four games following Yueru’s arrival. In her first start on Tuesday, Yueru posted 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in a 68-55 win over the Atlanta Dream.
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas’ second-leading scorer, praised Yueru’s impact:
“She’s just an amazing player. Obviously she hasn’t been with us for a long time, but she’s a really smart player and she’s picking it up. … She’s a really great player, and I’m glad she’s on our team.”
At 6-foot-7, Yueru has strengthened the Wings’ defense, helping hold Atlanta’s Brittany Griner to a season-low two points and six rebounds in limited minutes.
Yueru’s Defensive Presence Boosts Dallas
The Wings limited the Dream to an abnormally low shooting percentage, restricting them to 23.4 percent from the field overall and just 20.6 percent from three-point range as Dallas secured a 44-37 rebounding advantage. Coach Chris Koclanes complimented Yueru’s game, saying,
“She is incredibly smart and physical, just really good with her positioning.”
The Path Forward for Fever and Wings
The upcoming game represents a critical moment in the WNBA season, especially for Indiana as they navigate games without their top draft pick. The potential absence of Caitlin Clark could affect the Fever’s chances against a Wings squad gaining momentum with its revamped lineup. Dallas looks to build on recent improvements, fueled by the leadership of Paige Bueckers and the defensive anchor provided by Li Yueru.
This matchup will offer insights into the progression of these young stars and could shape playoff prospects for both teams as the season continues.