The Indiana Fever had been dealt a blow on Monday because the staff introduced famous person guard Caitlin Clark could be out for a minimum of two weeks with a left quadriceps pressure.
After these two weeks, she’ll be re-evaluated, suggesting an absence doubtless longer than only a fortnight. It’s unclear when Clark suffered the damage. She didn’t look hampered in any approach in opposition to the Liberty on Saturday, although that doesn’t imply the damage didn’t come then.
It’s the primary damage blow that Clark has suffered in her younger WNBA profession after enjoying all 40 video games final season. She didn’t miss a single recreation at Iowa throughout her 4 years with the Hawkeyes both.
This will likely be uncharted waters, then, for each Clark and the Fever. Naturally, Indiana’s roster is constructed round Clark, so it will definitely take a look at their depth early within the season. Over the offseason, the Fever overhauled the roster and introduced in additional expertise as they regarded to take the subsequent step from playoff staff to title contender.
Now, that newfound depth will likely be examined in a giant approach. Sydney Colson is the one backup level guard on the bench and can doubtless see an uptick in enjoying time after being a DNP-CD on Saturday in opposition to the Liberty.
However the largest rise in contributions will primarily want to come back from different sources. Nobody participant can exchange what Clark does, however a number of gamers can fill within the gaps.
Kelsey Mitchell will doubtless change into the lead ballhandler within the beginning lineups whereas Sophie Cunningham has proven some flashes of ballhandling capacity within the two video games she’s been obtainable for the Fever.
It’s exhausting to anticipate way more out of Aliyah Boston than what she’s supplied to open the season, as she’s averaged 18.5 factors and 10.8 rebounds per recreation. Nevertheless, after talking about utilizing her as a hub offensively earlier than the season, she’ll doubtless solely change into an much more central determine in what Indiana is doing on that finish.
Indiana can even want DeWanna Bonner, who has had a really sluggish begin to the season, to seek out her type and assist contribute in quite a few methods, together with along with her scoring. By way of the opening 4 video games, Bonner has simply 10 complete factors and is taking pictures 2-16 from the sector total.
Changing Clark must be a by-committee method for Indiana over the subsequent two weeks, and for a staff that spoke about their depth heading into the season, it’ll be a giant take a look at of how a lot that may be relied upon early on.
