In the rollercoaster world of women’s basketball, where rookies either sink or swim, Caitlin Clark has been doing some serious laps. With the WNBA season roaring back after the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation is ready to lace up her sneakers and drag her team—kicking and screaming if necessary—toward the playoffs. And let’s be real, the Fever could use a little dragging.
The Fever, who haven’t seen a playoff game since Tamika Catchings was still on the roster (yeah, it’s been that long), are clinging to seventh place like a cat hanging from a tree branch. With an 11-15 record, they’re currently holding on to postseason hopes by a thread, or more accurately, by the fingernails of Caitlin Clark and her fellow rookies.
But don’t worry, Clark’s not sweating it—literally. “I’ve got more legs under me and a lot less patience,” she quipped after a recent practice session. The Olympic break apparently did wonders for her, giving her time to recover from the physical grind of being both the Fever’s top scorer and assist leader. She’s been averaging a casual 17.1 points and 8.2 assists per game—no big deal for the so-called “generational talent.”
Clark’s confession was a breath of fresh air in the world of canned athlete quotes. “I’m just going to try to come back and compete, maybe even break a few ankles—figuratively, of course,” she joked. “I feel like I’m ready to get back out there and get playing, but that’s probably because that’s really all I’ve known over the course of the last few years. Ball is life, after all.”
The Fever have a history that could generously be described as “consistently disappointing,” with only two seasons in the last seven years boasting double-digit victories. But Clark, ever the optimist, isn’t fazed. “Look, when you’ve spent your college years breaking records and opponents’ spirits at Iowa, a little adversity in the pros is just another Tuesday,” she said with a smirk.
And let’s not forget the Rookie of the Year race, which is shaping up to be a showdown of epic proportions. Clark’s primary competition? None other than Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, who’s been tearing up the boards with 13.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. But while Reese is all about rebounds, Clark’s all about flair. “Angel’s great and all, but if it comes down to style points, I think I’ve got her beat,” she teased.
As the Fever prepare to face the Phoenix Mercury on August 16, fans are holding their breath to see if Clark’s fresh legs and sharp wit can propel Indiana to a much-needed playoff spot. But one thing’s for sure—win or lose, Caitlin Clark is going to make sure we’re all entertained along the way. And who knows, maybe the Fever will finally give their fans something to cheer about, other than the good ol’ days of Tamika Catchings.