Fever Coach Explains How Caitlin Clark’s Absence Has Been a ‘Blessing’ After Win
Following a hard-fought win on Sunday night, Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides offered an unexpected perspective on the recent absence of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, calling it a “blessing in disguise” for the team’s overall development.
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and a key figure in the Fever’s rebuilding efforts, missed the past two games due to a minor ankle injury. While her absence initially raised concerns among fans and analysts, the team rallied in her stead, securing two consecutive victories — a promising sign for a franchise still searching for long-term identity and consistency.
“It’s never easy losing a player like Caitlin — her vision, her energy, and of course her shooting are all elite,” Sides said postgame. “But this gave us a chance to see what we’re made of without her on the floor. Other players stepped up. They had to.”
Indeed, players like Kelsey Mitchell and NaLyssa Smith flourished in Clark’s absence. Mitchell poured in 22 points in Sunday’s win, while Smith dominated the paint, grabbing 11 rebounds and adding 18 points. Bench players, too, saw increased minutes and responsibility, which Sides believes could pay dividends later in the season.
“When someone like Caitlin goes out, it forces everyone else to do a little more,” Sides explained. “It’s not that we’re better without her — not at all. But this allowed our other players to grow, to take on bigger roles, and build confidence that we’ll need in crunch time down the line.”
Clark’s return is expected within the next week, pending medical clearance. In the meantime, Sides sees this stretch as a critical turning point.
“Caitlin’s a competitor. She wants to be out there,” Sides said. “But I think even she would agree that seeing the team win and grow in her absence is something special. When she comes back, we’ll be better — not just because she’s back, but because of what we’ve learned without her.”
With Clark likely to rejoin a team now surging with momentum, the Fever may finally be finding the balance needed to compete in a loaded WNBA season.
