Fever are 'more dangerous' without Caitlin Clark: ESPN analyst
Share this @internewscast.com

One ESPN analyst stirred the pot on “SportsCenter” after the Fever’s win on Thursday.

And it was yet another without the injured Caitlin Clark.

Carolyn Peck claimed that the Fever are actually “more dangerous” without their star guard.

“I believe Indiana becomes even more formidable when Caitlin Clark is not playing because she usually dominates the ball,” she commented. “Clark often has the ball, which gives you a clear target to focus on. Without her, Indiana showcases a variety of other strengths.” 


Caitlin Clark has had an uneasy 2025 season, largely due to ongoing injuries.
Caitlin Clark has had an uneasy 2025 season, largely due to ongoing injuries. Getty Images

The Fever improved to 9-8 following their stunning 81-54 rout of the Aces despite Clark’s absence.

One of Indiana’s other standout players in the backcourt, Kelsey Mitchell, achieved a team-best 25 points, shooting 9-of-18 with four successful three-pointers out of six attempts.

Indiana also topped the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 in the Commissioner’s Cup Final without Clark.

“With a point guard like Kelsey Mitchell, paired with perimeter plays from Aari McDonald, and a strong post player like Aliyah Boston, Indiana presents a significant challenge,” Peck explained. “Their strength, particularly on defense, makes them a formidable team.”

With Clark, the Fever are 5–4, averaging an 85.0 offensive rating.

Without Clark, Indiana has posted a 5-4 record as well — including the Cup win — but with a modest decline in offense, averaging around an 80.2 offensive rating, although their defense’s points allowed drops by nearly five per 100 possessions. 

Clark’s injury-plagued season has caused her to miss half the Fever games this year due to a left quad strain and a groin ailment.

And Peck notes that others have elevated in her absence, which does tend to happen when a high-usage player is sidelined, especially on the defensive end because the director of heliocentric offensive play hardly has the energy to be an elite defender.


Carolyn Peck speaking at a podium.
Carolyn Peck was complimentary of the Fever without Caitlin Clark. NBAE via Getty Images

That said, it’s hard to build a case for the Fever being more potent without Clark in the long term, despite their encouraging moments.

The high-profile sophomore has been named an All-Star for a second consecutive season despite her injuries.

Clark averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.6 turnovers on 42/34/91 shooting splits as a rookie.

This season, Clark is at 18.2 points, 8.9 assists and 5.9 turnovers per game.

Clark is expected to miss yet another game, her 1oth of the season, as the Fever play the Sparks on Saturday.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
New Mexico village rebuilds all over again after record-breaking flash flood kills 3

New Mexico Village Begins Rebuilding After Devastating Flash Flood

RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — The mountain village of Ruidoso faced the familiar…
'General Hospital,' 'The View,' 'Live with Kelly and Mark,' and Anthony Mackie are among the Daytime Emmy Awards nominees.

Daytime Emmy Nominations Include ‘General Hospital,’ ‘The View,’ ‘Live with Kelly and Mark,’ and Anthony Mackie

LOS ANGELES — The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has…
LiAngelo Ball files for divorce days after wife's pregnancy reveal

LiAngelo Ball Announces Divorce Shortly After Wife Reveals Pregnancy

LiAngelo Ball initiated divorce proceedings from Rashida Nicole just a week after…
Photo of Sunshine Stewart.

Paddleboarder, 48, discovered dead after disappearing during camp trip, prompting police search for ‘killer’

A PADDLEBOARDER mysteriously disappeared during a camping trip and has been discovered…
Is Outlook down? Thousands of users report issues accessing their email

Is Outlook Unavailable? Numerous Users Experiencing Email Access Problems

NEW YORK — Thousands of Microsoft Outlook users experienced issues with the…
Police searching for man who allegedly kidnapped 3-year-old son in east Alabama

Authorities Seek Man Accused of Abducting His 3-Year-Old Son in East Alabama

AUBURN, Ala. (WIAT) — Auburn police announced that they are searching for…
FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

FBI Searches for Military Veteran Suspected in ICE Facility Attack in Texas

The FBI is currently on the hunt for a veteran who is…
Gavin Newsom's Big Address to the Nation Was a Lie-Filled Disaster

Democrats Criticized for Supporting High-Density Housing Following California Wildfires

For quite some time, California Democrats have pushed for the development of…
Pennsylvania man who showed father's severed head on YouTube said he wanted to block him from being next Trump

Pennsylvania Man Displayed Father’s Severed Head on YouTube to Prevent His Political Rise

The Pennsylvania man accused of murdering his father and then uploading a…
My partner's daughter is jealous of me

My Partner’s Daughter Feels Envious Towards Me

DEAR ABBY: I have been involved with my partner, “Gil,” for five…
A 60cm-tall mud volcano in Cusco, Peru.

Locals in Peru Discover the ‘World’s Smallest Volcano’ Erupting with Gases and Sludge

A VOLCANO touted as the smallest in the world has been discovered…
Man busted with anti-government, anti-Trump documents after Texas ICE ambush suspect phone call, feds say

Federal Authorities Claim Texas ICE Ambush Suspect Found with Anti-Government and Anti-Trump Documents

A man accused of tampering with evidence related to the attack on…