The Indiana Fever have shown the ability to secure victories without their star player Caitlin Clark as they prepare to face the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday night. Clark, sidelined by a left groin injury, has missed the last three games, yet the Fever have won their two most recent contests, including a decisive 74-59 win over Minnesota on Tuesday to claim the Commissioner’s Cup title.
Fever head coach Stephanie White emphasized the team’s resilience and unity during this period of adjustment without Clark.
“They’re tough, mentally and physically. They pull for one another. We’re going to continue to get better,”
White said.
Adjusting Team Dynamics Amid Clark’s Injury
While Clark’s role as a high-usage player who handles the ball frequently has been crucial, Indiana is adapting to finding success through collective effort. White noted the importance of the team making significant plays on both offense and defense during this challenging stretch:
“Caitlin is a player who has a high usage rate, has the ball in her hands a lot,”
White said.
“Learning to play without her, learning to make big plays in tough moments on both ends of the floor is important.”
This shift was evident in the Commissioner’s Cup final against the Minnesota Lynx, where Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston both posted double-doubles, contributing 16 points and 12 rebounds, and 12 points with 11 rebounds, respectively. The Fever locked down the Lynx in a critical stretch, holding them scoreless for over eight minutes to seize control of the game.
Las Vegas Aces Face Their Own Challenges Entering Matchup
The Las Vegas Aces, also entering the game with an 8-8 record, have encountered setbacks with several players unavailable. Center Megan Gustafson remains out due to a lower left leg injury, and forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus is on leave due to pregnancy. To bolster their frontcourt, the Aces acquired forward NaLyssa Smith from Dallas in exchange for a future first-round draft pick. Smith averages 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds this season.
After recent championship successes in 2022 and 2023 and multiple playoff appearances, the Aces are navigating a season marked by difficulties. Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson candidly described the team’s current experience as a learning opportunity:
“I kind of take this season as a very big learning season for all of us because we spoiled a lot of people with our greatness and right now we’re just not great and that’s OK. It’s not the end of the world.”
She added,
“This is adversity to me because I’ve never been in this situation. We’ve got to learn to dig out wins. We have to learn to play with our backs against the wall, but still prevail.”
Upcoming Game Sets Stage for Important Homestand
The Fever will continue to compete without Clark and will also be without reserve forward Damiris Dantas, who is away on Brazilian national team duty. This game kicks off a crucial five-game homestand for Indiana, a stretch that could set the tone for their push in the WNBA season.
Winning without Caitlin Clark demonstrates Indiana’s growing adaptability and depth, while the Aces’ efforts to regroup amid roster changes will be tested. Both teams face pivotal moments as they contend with injuries and expectations, making this matchup a significant indicator of their resilience and future prospects.