Caitlin Clark may be off the court, but she is never out of the conversation. The Indiana Fever are now beyond 0.500 and defeated A’ja Wilson’s Las Vegas Aces dominantly without their star guard after downing the Minnesota Lynx, arguably the best team in the league, in the Commissioner’s Cup final. That brought their winning streak to 3 games and conversations regarding what Clark brings to this team or doesn’t have accelerated since.

ESPN analyst Carolyn Peck recently downplayed the importance of Clark to this Fever side as she claimed the Fever are “more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play, because she’s a ball-dominant guard… You know what you need to try to take away. When you look at Indiana now, they’ve got so many weapons and Kelce Mitchell is playing out of her mind… When you have a point guard like Kelce Mitchell and Aari McDonald making plays on the perimeter and Aliyah Boston, I’m going to tell you, Indiana are a threat.”

That was an unpopular statement to make, and it’s unpopular for a reason. Clark has been the engine of this Fever side ever since her rookie days last year, and her numbers say the same. Following that statement, which drew angry reactions from the Indiana fandom, another one of her claims from last season has come into for regarding the rookie of the year argument between Clark and her chief rival, Angel Reese.

Peck said at the time, “It’s a thin thin line. It’s really tight. If you look at where the teams are. And I also went a little deeper and looked at plus-minus, and also looked at net rating, and when you look at that, Angel Reese has to get the nod.”

As we know, just one vote separated Clark and a unanimous Rookie of the Year win, which means most acknowledged the excellence of Clark. But Peck wasn’t one of them. This video is from July 8 last year, so around half of the season was still to go, and Reese was in the form of her life, recording a WNBA record 15 consecutive double-doubles. So she had the momentum. The advanced metrics she mentioned seem to be very nitpicked as Clark led every other metric except rebounds. The season-wide net rating of Clark stood at -2.4 while Reese was a little higher at 0.8.

She further said, “And I know it’s not a popular, popular position to take because Angel Reese has to do the dirty work. I have said it’s not s— to battle and rebound inside, and where you have to do the blue collar work, but this is a player that has come in as a rookie and put up grown woman numbers. 12 double-doubles in a row? in one season. So when you see a young woman come in like that and do that I have to give her the nod with her efficiency rating.”

Reese brought undeniable strength on defense and owned the glass, setting records and bringing relentless energy every night. Her impact was real. But Clark was simply on another level. She didn’t just score, she controlled the game. The offense flowed through her hands. She broke down defenses with her passing, her range, and her court vision. She stretched the floor, attracted double-teams, and still found open teammates with precision. She rebounded, played defense, and led with poise far beyond her years.

Basketball is about impact. Reese dominated the paint, but Clark dictated everything. She was the engine, the spark, and the closer. In 2024, there was no rookie more complete, more clutch, or more valuable than Caitlin Clark. One can’t just ignore every traditional metric there is and focus on advanced statistics. If the two had matched on the traditional metrics, then the advanced stats would have tilted the argument toward Reese, but that’s not the case.

 The Indiana Fever is on a hot streak even without Caitlin Clark, and that’s a promising sign for a team with championship ambitions. Earlier in the season, the team clearly struggled during her absence, looking disorganized and toothless on offense. Her return at that time brought immediate stability and sparked improved play. Now, the narrative has shifted. The Fever have found a system that works without their star point guard, and they’re executing it with confidence and balance.

This evolution only bodes well for Clark’s eventual return. She’ll be rejoining a team that has learned to thrive independently, which will allow her to complement an already effective unit rather than carry the full burden. Her defense still needs refinement, but her offensive creativity remains unmatched. Her presence will elevate the Fever even further, transforming a solid playoff team into a legitimate title contender.

Stephanie White Explains What’s Causing the Delay in Caitlin Clark’s Return

While Peck may opine that the Fever is better off without Clark, the team and the fans want her back on the court as soon as possible. She has been out for four games with a groin injury and is slated to miss the next one against the Los Angeles Sparks. That will be her 10th miss of the season, as she missed five earlier due to a left quad injury. Her groin injury was considered very much a day-to-day thing, but there are no signs of her being back on the court, and Stephanie White has explained why.

“We went through semi-live shooting drills,” White said. “… (She) still hasn’t gone full speed in a practice or a live defensive group. But she’s been getting some 3-on-3 work on her own.” She further added, “I think the biggest thing is she’s stated she’s not a fan of minutes restrictions. If there’s going to be a minutes restriction, maybe we’ll hold her another game.”

The Fever’s primary concern is preventing another setback in Caitlin Clark’s recovery. Earlier in the year, she experienced discomfort during the preseason but chose to push through it, which may have contributed to her current condition. This time, both Clark and the team are taking a more cautious approach. If she hopes to return to playing her usual 35 minutes per game right away, she must be fully healthy. Head coach Stephanie White has emphasized the importance of prioritizing Clark’s long-term well-being over a rushed return. By holding her out until she is completely fit, the team is making a strategic decision that supports her durability for the rest of the season and her overall career longevity.

Following Saturday’s matchup, the Fever will take on the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, though Caitlin Clark’s availability for that game remains uncertain. While Peck has suggested that the Fever may be more dangerous without Clark and slightly underrated her capabilities as a guard in the past, the reality is more nuanced. The team has indeed found ways to thrive in her absence, showing depth and cohesion. However, when the season reaches its critical stages, Clark’s presence will be indispensable. Her leadership, offensive creativity, and ability to shift defensive schemes make her a vital piece for any deep playoff run.

At this stage, Indiana looks well-positioned to secure a playoff spot, even if Clark remains sidelined for a bit longer. Yet with championship ambitions on the horizon, patience is not just a virtue, it’s a necessity. As eager as Clark may be to return, the Fever is wise to hold the line. Ensuring she’s fully healthy now gives them the best chance to unleash her full impact when the stakes are highest.