Caitlin Clark, arguably one of the most exciting prospects in the WNBA, struggled in the Fever’s Game 1 loss to the Connecticut Sun. While Clark has proven time and again that she can light up the scoreboard, her 11-point performance on 4-of-17 shooting (including a dismal 2-of-13 from beyond the arc) was far from her usual brilliance. Despite dishing out eight assists, the Fever were blown out 93-69, and their hopes in this best-of-three series are now hanging by a thread.
To turn things around, Fever head coach Christie Sides must tweak her game plan to allow Clark to play at her full potential. Shooting just 21.4% from 3-point range and struggling to break the Sun’s suffocating defense, Indiana faces a tough road ahead. Let’s dive into three things Coach Sides and the Fever need to adjust to keep their season alive in Game 2.
1. Develop Strategies to Counter Double Teams on Caitlin Clark
Clark has been the focal point of the Fever’s offense all season, and as expected, the Sun threw everything but the kitchen sink at her in Game 1. The Sun expertly mixed up their defensive coverages, keeping Clark guessing by switching defenders and alternating schemes throughout the game. The Sun’s most effective tactic came in the third quarter when they ramped up the pressure, sending two defenders to smother her. It was clear the Fever weren’t prepared to handle the intensity.
What Needs to Change: Coach Sides needs to borrow a page from Steve Kerr’s playbook (yes, we’re talking about the NBA’s Golden State Warriors). When teams double-team Stephen Curry, Kerr uses a technique called shorting the roll. This strategy involves setting up a secondary player (often Draymond Green in the Warriors’ case) in a position higher up the floor to catch the ball and act as a release valve when Curry is trapped.
For the Fever, that secondary player could be Kelsey Mitchell. By moving Mitchell further up the floor, Clark would have a more accessible passing target, and Mitchell can make quicker decisions from that spot. Additionally, this would give Clark a chance to stay involved in the play and possibly get the ball back in a better position to score.
This simple tweak could neutralize the Sun’s aggressive double-teaming, reduce the number of sloppy possessions, and keep Clark more actively involved in the offense.
2. Increase the Shooting Around Clark
Let’s not sugarcoat it: NaLyssa Smith was ineffective as a starter in Game 1. She went scoreless in her nine minutes of play, and Sides wisely pulled her from the game early. It’s time to make more drastic changes in Game 2 by leaning on Damiris Dantas instead.
Dantas vs. Smith: A Statistical Comparison
| Player | 3-Point Shooting % | Regular Season Net Rating (per 100 possessions) | Game 1 Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damiris Dantas | 39.4% | +9.4 when playing with Clark | 2-of-3 from deep |
| NaLyssa Smith | 29.2% | -4.0 when playing with Clark | 0 points in 9 minutes |
Dantas has consistently been a better 3-point shooter than Smith, knocking down 39.4% of her attempts from deep during the regular season compared to Smith’s paltry 29.2%. More importantly, the Fever were +9.4 points per 100 possessions with Clark and Dantas on the floor together. Conversely, when Smith played with Clark, the Fever were outscored by 4.0 points per 100 possessions.
For Game 2, Dantas’ ability to spread the floor is crucial. Her shooting will open up driving lanes for Clark and make it harder for the Sun to send multiple defenders at her without consequence. Simply put, Smith’s minutes need to be reduced to zero. If the Fever want to win, it’s all about maximizing offensive firepower, and Dantas delivers that.
3. Capitalize on Transition Opportunities
The Fever are at their best when they push the pace. After the All-Star break, Indiana had the best offense in the league, primarily due to their ability to get out in transition. However, in Game 1, the Sun surprisingly held an 18-9 advantage in fast-break points.
Why the Fever Struggled in Transition:
- Rebounding Woes: The Sun grabbed six offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone and eight in total, limiting Indiana’s ability to get out and run.
- Sun’s Shooting Efficiency: Connecticut shot 49.3% from the field, forcing the Fever to inbound the ball from under their own basket, slowing down their transition game.
- Lack of Hustle Plays: Despite having a younger and supposedly fresher roster, the Fever were outworked in Game 1.
What Needs to Change: Clark is a maestro in transition, known for her pinpoint passing and ability to find open teammates on the run. The solution here is twofold:
- Crash the Defensive Boards: The Fever need to emphasize gang rebounding to prevent second-chance opportunities for the Sun. Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith, in particular, must dominate the glass.
- Run the Floor Harder: Quite simply, the Fever’s younger legs need to get out and sprint. Every time a Sun shot clanks off the rim, Clark should be pushing the ball up the floor, looking to hit teammates like Mitchell and Dantas for easy buckets.
By forcing more misses and pushing the pace, the Fever can exploit their youth and turn the game into a track meet. If they don’t, the Sun’s more methodical and efficient half-court offense will continue to pick them apart.
Conclusion
Caitlin Clark’s Game 1 struggles were not solely due to her shooting woes—her team didn’t do her any favors either. But with some strategic adjustments, Coach Christie Sides can put Clark in a better position to succeed. By neutralizing the Sun’s double-teaming strategy, surrounding Clark with more shooters like Dantas, and capitalizing on transition opportunities, the Fever have a real shot at bouncing back in Game 2.
The Game Plan for Game 2:
- Short the roll to break double teams.
- Start Damiris Dantas for better floor spacing.
- Run, run, and run some more.
With these changes, Clark and the Fever can give themselves a fighting chance to stay alive in the series. Whether they’ll be able to execute them remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Game 2 is do-or-die.
So, Coach Sides, it’s time to roll the dice, adjust the game plan, and give the Sun a run for their money. No pressure, though. You’ve only got the most exciting rookie in the league—what could go wrong?
Table: Adjustments for Game 2
| Key Adjustment | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| Short the roll to break double teams | Alleviates pressure on Clark, leading to better ball movement and shot creation. |
| Start Damiris Dantas | Improves floor spacing, allowing Clark more room to operate. |
| Emphasize transition offense | Faster pace and easier scoring opportunities in the open floor. |