Getting into Wednesday evening’s sport, the primary query ought to have been, “Are the Indiana Fever legit and may they show it towards the Las Vegas Aces?”
As an alternative, the main target was on Caitlin Clark, as she continues to be concerned in storylines which place ridiculous expectations on her shoulders. Throughout the span of the final three weeks, Clark has averaged 25 factors per sport, was chosen Japanese Convention Participant of the Week 3 times in a row and has quite a few individuals calling for her title to look on the MVP poll. Moreover, she grew to become the primary rookie to earn Participant of the Month honors for her play in August. So, it ought to make sense that she’d be among the many prime 5 gamers within the league, proper?
third-straight Japanese Convention Participant of the Week nod ️
Caitlin Clark averaged 25.0 PPG, 10.0 APG & 7.7 RPG, notched her 2nd profession triple-double, set the document for many 3PM in a season in franchise historical past & set a brand new franchise document for many double-doubles in a season. pic.twitter.com/bD8mgVRtKm
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 10, 2024
In accordance with the WNBA’s official MVP ladder, that’s solely good for an honorable point out, with A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas making the highest 5. Wilson is the MVP, finish of matter. And if Wilson hadn’t been as dominant as she has been, Collier ought to get the award due to her potential to take over video games and do no matter is important for the Minnesota Lynx to win. The New York Liberty and the Connecticut Solar deserve at the very least one participant consultant to acknowledge the season that each groups are having. However ought to Ionescu AND Stewart be positioned in entrance of Clark? And each in entrance of Thomas? Without any consideration for somebody just like the Seattle Storm’s Jewell Lloyd?
The arguments for Clark are evident: 19.2 factors, 5.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.3 steals per sport. Towards? 5.7 turnovers per sport. That’s it. She takes too many dangers when passing the ball. One may argue that Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull have been phenomenal following the Olympic break as nicely. However, not taking away from both’s wonderful play, they’re beneficiaries of Clark’s presence on the court docket. She opens up areas and creates possibilities for each to attain. Even when Clark struggles, she nonetheless impacts the sport by giving alternatives to her teammates.
“Her management was very evident from the primary apply I had right here.”
Caitlin Clark on Kelsey Mitchell’s mentorship and the way they’ve constructed a robust bond pic.twitter.com/RXwUIKvN38
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 11, 2024
Towards the Aces on Wednesday evening, Clark shot 27.3 p.c from the ground (1-of-10 from 3) and had 5 turnovers. She contributed 16 factors, three rebounds and 6 assists, however her taking pictures woes didn’t assist her crew (nor her MVP-ballot case). Mitchell scored a team-high 24 factors (47.4 p.c from the ground), Aliyah Boston had 10 rebounds (however made simply 30 p.c of her photographs) and NaLyssa Smith grabbed six boards and blocked two photographs. However the heaviest burden was placed on Clark, and enjoying towards such an skilled crew, she couldn’t carry it.
Will she be prepared on Friday evening, when the Fever face off towards the Aces one final time this common season (7:30 p.m. ET, ION)? Doable, however uncertain. Fortunately for the Fever, they may shut out the season with video games towards the Dallas Wings (Sunday, Sept. 15, 3 p.m. ET) and the Washington Mystics (Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. ET), two groups they’ve already crushed this yr.
