With 12 regular-season games remaining, the Indiana Fever need at least six victories to surpass last year’s .500 record of 20-20, their best since 2016 and the season they returned to the playoffs after seven years. Despite losing their star player, Caitlin Clark, for more than half their contests, the team has performed admirably amid the expanded 44-game schedule in 2025 compared to 40 games in prior seasons. Clark led the Fever in scoring (19.2 points), assists (8.4, the league’s highest), and minutes per game (35.4) last year.
However, this season Clark has appeared in only 13 of the Fever’s 33 games, including the Commissioner’s Cup final and the All-Star Game, where she was the fan favorite. She has not managed more than five consecutive games at a time, and in her most recent stretch of five outings, her scoring average fell to 11.5 points with a three-point shooting percentage of just 18.75%, a significant drop from her usual level likely caused by the pressures of rising fame and physical setbacks.
Despite these challenges, the Fever have shown resilience. Under head coach Stephanie White, players like Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, and Sophie Cunningham have stepped up, though the team recently suffered a 35-point loss to Phoenix, their largest defeat this season.
Stephen A. Smith Analyzes Clark’s Offensive Challenges This Season
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith openly addressed Caitlin Clark’s decline in offensive production during her second WNBA season, noting that she hasn’t matched the strong debut that placed her among the MVP frontrunners in 2024. Clark’s scoring average has decreased to 16.5 points per game from 19.2, her shooting efficiency dropped from 41.7% to 36.7%, and her three-point shooting is down to 27.9% this year.
Speaking on the August 8 episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, Smith emphasized Clark’s importance to the league’s visibility and success, stating,
Caitlin Clark is the money maker. She’s a ratings magnet. When she’s on the court, viewership spikes, money flows, buzz builds. When she’s out, it tanks,
—Stephen A. Smith
He added,
Ratings for WNBA All-Star Weekend dropped 36% a few weeks back. She played every game last year; this year, she’s sat out 17. Everything she does in women’s hoops turns to success… She’s really talented.
—Stephen A. Smith
When asked if Clark is the top talent in the league, Smith responded,
No, not the absolute best. But she’s solid, incredibly solid. She finished fourth in MVP last season. She could’ve aimed for that again, but those 17 absences, plus dips in shooting, threes, assists-all down a bit, mostly from injuries. Mark my words, she’s the WNBA’s tomorrow. She’s the real deal.
—Stephen A. Smith
Indiana Fever Focus on Staying Competitive While Awaiting Clark’s Return
The Indiana Fever are aiming to maintain their composure and competitiveness to prepare for Caitlin Clark’s potential return, ideally during the playoffs or the season’s final game. If Clark can come back healthy and regain her form, paired with the team’s strong play, the Fever could become a formidable opponent in the postseason.
A much-anticipated matchup between Clark’s Fever and Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky was expected to draw significant attention, but both players are sidelined with injuries. The Chicago Sky are still searching for their first win over Indiana after three tries this season.
Presently, the Fever are trying to avoid a three-game losing streak after recently enjoying a five-game winning stretch. On Tuesday, September 12, Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings will visit Indiana for another high-profile game, yet both Bueckers and Clark may miss it due to injuries, shifting the anticipated dynamic.
The team’s ability to hold steady during Clark’s absence will be critical in determining whether they can extend their playoff streak and capitalize on her eventual return. With strong contributions from role players and guidance from coach Stephanie White, the Fever remain cautiously optimistic about finishing the season on a competitive note.