It’s strange, the Fever coaching staff has been in unusual consensus with opposing teams lately. During their last victory against the Sun, Fever coach Stephanie White’s demands against “unfair” officiating calls echoed the exact sentiments voiced by Sun coach Rachid Meziane. Now, even in White’s absence during today’s loss, assistant coach Austin Kelly managed to sound strikingly similar to Valkyries HC Natalie Nakase. Especially when it came to Caitlin Clark’s performance and strategies.
Speaking of CC’s performance, let’s rather not. Because the viewers have started to wonder if she has a “mental block.” Rightfully so, because Caitlin Clark produced one of her worst outings in the WNBA last night. She missed all of her seven 3-point shots, and tallied a total of 11 points, while committing 6 turnovers and shooting only 3 of 14. However, it’s not only CC to blame for it, the Valkyries’ defense has some much-deserved credit right there. It seems like they’ve cracked the code to defend Indy’s powerhouse.
Natalie Nakase herself shared their defense strategy during the postgame presser. She said, “You guys saw what we’re doing…we’re being disruptive. We know she doesn’t want with physicality…I watched her at Iowa. She loves that left step back, it’s almost like a layup for her (meaning they guarded it well).” Nakase’s scouting was spot-on. At Iowa, Clark’s left step-back was nearly automatic; she shot over 40% on such attempts. And the Valkyries perfectly disrupted it by crowding her space early and not letting her balance the feet, hence, the missed shots.
Caitlin Clark’s signature move was cut, and Austin Kelly did not hold back from calling out the way it was done. He said, “Be physical with her, that’s been the game plan all year long.” He called out a league-wide blueprint that has grown stale and excessive. The words mirrored exactly those of Nakase’s, but from the opposite lens. After all, it was just a few of Clark’s signature shots, the ones she usually nails, that didn’t fall this time. And it tilted the game out of reach.
May 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the first half against the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Because while Caitlin Clark struggled, the rest of the Fever did their part. Aliyah Boston led with 17 points and 12 boards, Kelsey Mitchell dropped 16, and Natasha Howard added 13. Even Sophie Cunningham chipped in 9 points. But they still fell short against a gritty Valkyries squad that had six players scoring 10+ points. They were led by Kayla Thornton’s 16 and Tiffany Hayes’ 14. This situation exposed Indiana’s growing dependency on Clark. Ironically, even more strongly now than when she was sidelined, when they used to scrape wins without her.
Was Caitlin Clark distracted?
We are all aware that Caitlin Clark has somehow become the Indiana Pacers’ good-luck charm during their wild playoff run. At one point, they were a perfect 8-0 With her sitting courtside. It was an unbeaten streak that turned her into this team’s unofficial playoff mascot. Her presence even seemed to break their Game 3 curse, with the Pacers finally snagging their first Game 3 win of the postseason against the Thunder.
But before Game 4 (which they eventually lost), Clark already knew she would miss a potential Game 6. “Hopefully, they can finish it out in five because I won’t be able to come for Game 6,” she said. There, she pointed to her prior commitment with the Fever for yesterday’s (June 19) game against the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco. Of course, in a twist of fate, the Pacers lost Game 5, too.
That dragged the series not just to a Game 6 but all the way to a do-or-die Game 7. We speculate that this scheduling clash might have weighed on Clark during her own game against the Valkyries. It could have played a part in her off night. Before the Fever tipped off, she admitted, “I wish it didn’t fall on the same night as us, but I feel good about the Pacers here in Game 6. I think they’re gonna push it to a Game 7. I think all basketball fans would appreciate a Game 7 in OKC.”
With a smile, she added, “It’s probably starting right about now, I’m assuming. Honestly, I’ll probably check the score a few times when I go on my phone before the game starts, but other than that, I’m probably not gonna know the final score until after our game.” Luckily for Indiana, at least one team came through. The Pacers managed to force Game 7.
Now, here’s the funny part: the Fever have to play the Aces on June 23, the same night as the Pacers’ winner-takes-all Game 7 against the Thunder. It’s a few hours apart, though. But this time, fans will be hoping Clark keeps her focus locked on her own game instead of splitting attention between the outcome of another Indiana squad battling on the opposite coast.
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