“It’s a new era for a lot of people,” Sophie Cunningham said after her electric performance against the Washington Mystics in their first preseason game, which saw them eke out a close 79-74 win in overtime. “This is more of an evaluating phase for us,” Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White had remarked before the game. Just look at how Sophie Cunningham played 34 minutes, and at times, she was playing at point guard. But is the head coach receiving all the praise for these experiments? Some might say otherwise…
In a game without Caitlin Clark against the Mystics, the Indiana Fever struggled to resist the fast-paced attack. Their defense was one of their weaknesses last season, so they will need to figure out a combination that complements their attack as well as their defense. They have acquired the likes of DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Cunningham, and Brianna Turner to be their premier defenders, but they still have to figure out the perfect combination that won’t dim their attack.
Logan Hackett is still not sure that Fever is the team to beat in the WNBA. She said on the Good Follow podcast, “When it comes to super teams, y’all had the same answer, but I’m actually going to go with no only because I want to see them play, the Liberty, the Lynx and the Aces And we have to keep in mind that, okay, it is preseason but they just played the Mystics and they went to overtime.”
Hackett is right to be concerned; their record against these three teams was not great last year. In the 11 games, including one Commissioner’s Cup game, the Fever won only two. One is against the Liberty and one against the Lynx. They not only lost against these teams, but the games weren’t even close. They lost all the games by at least 10 points. The Fever was even blown out by the Liberty by 36 points twice. Another side against which they struggled was the Sun, losing 3 out of the 4 regular season games and even losing the only postseason series 2-0.
The lack of experience of the Fever squad cost them dearly last season, but they can turn it around this year with the veteran additions like Bonner,Howard and Cunningham. It was just that all of these teams were a couple of stages ahead of Fever in their squad development and it seems on paper they have caught up. Now, the Fever can go toe-to-toe with the giants of the league along with a coach that has seen success in Fever colors in the past.
“First things first, we’ve got to talk about it,” White said of managing expectations. “You can’t rely on talent. … We have to rely on our daily discipline. We have to be disciplined in how we attack every single day.” White also mentioned that fitness will play an important part, saying, “We’ve got to put it together quickly, we have to stay healthy, and we have to peak at the right time.”
The Caitlin Clark leg injury, which she described as “just a little tightness,” is progressing slowly, as she is still not at 100%. The Fever Management is monitoring the situation and is being cautious about it. With multiple players in the WNBA tearing their ACLs left and right, the Fever will need to ensure that their players are fit and ready to go at the right moments throughout the season.
Sep 25, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The coach will bring in her process and tactics to the Fever squad. White has recognized that talent will win you a couple of games, but to achieve consistency, the process is very important. To really make a judgment on this Fever squad with all these new pieces, we need to wait a little longer and see how it will turn out. Caitlin Clark is yearning for that championship, and she knows that achieving it will require relentless effort and dedication.
While she’s already proven herself as one of the most talented and dynamic players in the league, to secure a championship will take more than individual brilliance—it will take teamwork, strategy, and consistency. She has her work cut out on the court, but off the court, she hasn’t been a slouch either, giving back to the community more than many.
Beyond the game, Caitlin Clark continues to win hearts
Caitlin Clark is not only a standout player on the court but also a powerful force for good off it. She has made significant contributions to the community, raising substantial amounts for food pantries and donating thousands of dollars to support various local charities. Through her foundation, she has organized donation drives, hosted meet-and-greet events, and made a meaningful impact on programs benefiting those in need.
Now she has done some good as Caitlin Clark and her foundation are once again partnering with Hy-Vee to give a six-figure donation to the nonprofit organization Feeding America. Hy-Vee is an employee-owned supermarket chain that has multiple locations across the country. It was the first brand Clark signed a deal back in 2021 and has been a part of many of its commercials.
This donation follows a round-up campaign held in March across all Hy-Vee stores, where customers had the opportunity to donate at checkout to support local Feeding America partner food banks. She has also teamed up with the brand to relaunch the exclusive Caitlin’s Crunch Time cereal, which will benefit the Caitlin Clark Foundation. Earlier, it was available only in select stores, and it quickly emptied the shelves with high demand. This time, all Hy-Vee stores across the Midwest will offer the cereal for a limited time, while supplies last. All proceeds from the sales will go directly to the Caitlin Clark Foundation, which will use the funds to support impactful causes.
Hy-Vee and Caitlin Clark are RUNNING IT BACK
After previously selling out of Caitlin’s Crunch Time Cereal in Iowa stores, the grocery chain announced it will re-release it in ALL of its Midwest locations for a limited time. pic.twitter.com/ZW2iDmTyEH
— cllct (@cllctMedia) May 6, 2025
The Caitlin Clark Foundation is dedicated to uplifting and improving the lives of youth and their communities through education, nutrition, and sports—three strategic pillars Caitlin believes were key to her success. Some of the foundation’s recent projects include donating books to schools in Iowa and Indiana and building multi-sport courts in Des Moines middle schools. As Caitlin has repeatedly emphasized, she wants to use her platform for good, and her ongoing actions are proof of her commitment to making a difference.
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