Indiana Fever Unbeaten? Clark’s Got Some Magic Up Her Sleeves!
Since Caitlin Clark decided to sprinkle some of her basketball fairy dust on the Indiana Fever (currently sitting at a “meh” 13-15), things have been, well, interesting. As the number one overall pick in a WNBA Draft that somehow managed to keep 2.4 million people glued to their screens (what else were they watching?), Clark has single-handedly elevated the WNBA to new heights. We’re talking about record-smashing TV ratings, an avalanche of merch sales, and sell-out crowds that make you wonder if Beyoncé was the halftime show.
The WNBA’s All-Star Game hit a whopping 3.44 million viewers—an eye-popping 305% increase from last year. The Fever, thanks to Clark’s stardom, has become must-see TV, with 14 out of their 16 games smashing the one-million viewer mark. Move over, NBA; there’s a new star in town, and she’s not here for your mid-tier ratings.
Magic, But Not Quite
Clark’s not just filling up the stat sheet; she’s rewriting the darn thing. She became the first rookie in WNBA history to casually drop a triple-double like it was no big deal. Then, she set the record for most assists in a single game—19, to be precise. Former NBA player Rashad McCants, who apparently moonlights as a basketball philosopher on “Gil’s Arena,” couldn’t help but gush over Clark, ranking her as the top point guard in the league. He didn’t stop there, though, hinting that Rookie of the Year is already a done deal, and Clark’s even in the MVP conversation—although that honor seems to be stamped with A’ja Wilson’s name already.
But let’s not get too carried away. McCants compared Clark’s rookie season to Magic Johnson’s—minus the Championship, of course. So, a Magic Johnson rookie year with a side of “not quite there yet.” Clark’s performances have been so dazzling that she was named AP Player of the Week, averaging 26 points and 9.2 assists in just two wins last week. And those wins? They were by more than 10 points each, the first time the Fever managed to do that this season. Maybe the Olympic break didn’t just rejuvenate the team—it might’ve given them a whole new personality.
Playoffs? Did Someone Say Playoffs?
With 12 games left to play, the Fever are somehow sitting in seventh place, potentially making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. This might be more about the recent struggles of the Wings, Sparks, and Mystics than anything the Fever’s doing, but hey, we’ll take it. Next up, they’re facing the Minnesota Lynx, who’ve been terrorizing the Western Conference with their 21-8 record. The Lynx are fresh off a back-to-back, but whether Indiana’s rust or Minnesota’s fatigue will win out remains to be seen. It could be a disaster, or it could be glorious. Either way, it’s probably worth watching.
Clark’s Glorious Flaws
Caitlin Clark’s stats are mind-blowing—11 games with 20+ points and 5+ assists, four consecutive matches where she’s done just that, and leading the league in assists (8.3). She’s also second in minutes played per game (35.2), which is not bad considering she’s doing all of this while still finding time to lead the league in turnovers. But hey, not all of those are her fault—somebody’s gotta keep things interesting, right?
So, as we wait to see if Clark can keep this Cinderella story alive, one thing is for sure: this rookie is putting on a show, and we’re all just here for the popcorn. The Fever may not have a Championship—yet—but with Clark on the court, they’re at least making a strong case for Most Entertaining Team.
