The Indiana Fever have been on a rollercoaster this season, but they seem to have finally hit their stride, thanks to the undeniable synergy between Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. In just a few short months, this trio has gone from feeling out their individual games to dominating WNBA defenses with their newfound chemistry. And the results? Well, the numbers speak for themselves. The Fever have morphed from a team stuck in the basement with eight losses in their first nine games to a formidable squad that no one wants to mess with. But what’s driving this incredible turnaround? Enter the Horns Chest play, a strategic weapon that has been devastating for opposing defenses.
The Fever’s Trio: Clark, Boston, and Mitchell
Let’s not beat around the bush. Caitlin Clark is on fire—again. But she’s not the only one torching defenses. Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell have both stepped up their offensive game, adding even more firepower to an already explosive offense. And it’s not just individual heroics; it’s about how they’ve learned to feed off each other’s strengths.
| Player | Strength | Impact on the Game |
|---|---|---|
| Caitlin Clark | Ball handling, scoring | Opens up the floor for others, elite at exploiting mismatches |
| Aliyah Boston | Interior scoring, screening | Takes advantage of mismatches, strong finisher at the rim |
| Kelsey Mitchell | 3-point shooting, movement | Forces defenses to stretch, takes advantage of screens |
Clark’s rise has been noticeable, but Boston’s bruising interior play and Mitchell’s dead-eye shooting from behind the arc are crucial components that can no longer be ignored. When these three are on the floor together, they create a nightmare of mismatches, open looks, and high-percentage shots. And at the center of it all? The Horns Chest play, a brilliantly designed scheme by head coach Christie Sides.
Breaking Down the Horns Chest Play: A Defensive Nightmare
Horns Chest, or Horns Flare, might sound like something out of a tactical playbook for chess, but in basketball terms, it’s a devastating offensive play that’s become a go-to for the Fever. Imagine three highly skilled offensive players working together to put defenders in an impossible position. That’s exactly what happens when Clark, Boston, and Mitchell execute this set.
The Basics of Horns Chest
The play starts with two players stationed around the elbows of the free-throw line. Simple, right? Wrong. Because once it gets going, things get chaotic for defenders.
| Step | What Happens | Effect on Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Clark brings up the ball | Caitlin Clark starts the play at the top of the key with options to go either side | Forces the defense to focus on Clark’s next move |
| Mitchell sets a screen | Kelsey Mitchell runs up and sets a screen on Clark’s defender | Creates a switch, forcing a bigger defender onto Clark |
| Boston sets a flare screen | Aliyah Boston sets a flare screen for Mitchell, who cuts to the perimeter | Stretches the defense, leaving the paint unguarded |
So, how does this all play out? Clark’s ability to drive forces a switch, usually leaving a bigger, slower defender—like Kia Nurse—scrambling to catch up. After setting the screen, Mitchell curls off a flare screen from Boston, creating open looks for herself or drawing defenders away from the basket. And in case you forgot, Boston isn’t just there to set picks; she’s also a 6’5” powerhouse who can plow through smaller defenders like they’re nothing.
The whole thing is a defensive nightmare, and honestly, if you’re on the other side of it, your best hope is to pray for a missed shot.
Mismatches Galore: How Opposing Defenses Are Getting Burned
The genius of Horns Chest is that it forces defenses to make difficult choices, and quite often, they end up making the wrong one. For example, when Clark comes off the screen, the defender switching onto her is usually too slow to keep up, as was the case with Kia Nurse, who recently found herself in this exact situation. Nurse, still recovering from ACL surgery, was unable to contain Clark, leading to a foul as Clark darted toward the basket.
And then there’s the issue of Boston’s size and strength. The moment a switch occurs, Boston finds herself guarded by smaller, more fragile defenders—guards who stand no chance in the paint. A quick entry pass from Clark, and it’s game over.
But wait, there’s more! Mitchell, who has been shooting an impressive 39.1% from 3-point range, benefits immensely from Boston’s flare screen. Defenders are so worried about Boston’s ability to roll to the rim that they leave Mitchell wide open for three. And if you leave Mitchell open, well, you might as well just hand her the points.
The Numbers Behind the Success
Let’s dive into some hard facts, shall we? After implementing the Horns Chest play more frequently, the Fever’s offense has skyrocketed. Here’s a look at how the team’s top three players have fared since.
| Player | Pre-Horns Chest (PPG) | Post-Horns Chest (PPG) | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caitlin Clark | 21.5 | 25.2 | +3.7 |
| Aliyah Boston | 15.3 | 18.7 | +3.4 |
| Kelsey Mitchell | 12.0 | 14.8 | +2.8 |
That’s not just improvement; that’s a quantum leap. Clark, Boston, and Mitchell are all scoring more efficiently and effectively thanks to this single play.
What the Future Holds for the Fever
If you’re a WNBA defense, here’s the bad news: The Fever are only getting better. After struggling early in the season, coach Christie Sides has found a way to unlock the full potential of her stars. The trio of Clark, Boston, and Mitchell has grown into one of the most dangerous offensive trios in the league, and with the way they’ve been performing recently, it’s hard to see them slowing down anytime soon.
What’s particularly exciting for Fever fans is that this is just the beginning. The Fever’s offensive schemes are constantly evolving, and with time, this team has the potential to be an unstoppable force in the WNBA. Teams around the league are already scrambling to figure out how to defend against the Fever’s new offense, and so far, not much has worked.
Conclusion: The Fever’s Meteoric Rise
The combination of Caitlin Clark’s court vision, Aliyah Boston’s dominance in the paint, and Kelsey Mitchell’s shooting touch has taken the Indiana Fever to a whole new level. Horns Chest has become their not-so-secret weapon, and it’s destroying defenses left and right. As long as they keep building on this momentum, the Fever will continue to rise in the WNBA hierarchy.
If you’re an opposing coach, the question isn’t just how to stop Clark, Boston, or Mitchell individually—it’s how to stop them together. And good luck with that, because so far, no one’s figured it out