Incoming WNBA Threat Triggers Indiana Fever HC’s Bold Demand for Caitlin Clark’s Teammate

The Indiana Fever are going through a rough patch. “WNBA without Clark: The league feels the hurt,” read a recent USA Today headline, and while that is absolutely true, the Fever have arguably been hit the hardest. Three straight losses, plus injuries to Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson, have left the team scrambling. So, when Coach Stephanie White was asked how she plans to navigate this rough patch, she couldn’t help but reiterate her one message from earlier.

A strong fourth-quarter push fell just short, as the Fever dropped their third straight game in a tight 85-83 loss to the Connecticut Sun. Now sitting at 2-4 on the season, this rough start wasn’t what anyone expected. Especially because White had her experiments detailed out inside her head, and forget that, even if Clark was playing, she still had it all down, all mapped out. Especially for Aliyah Boston, who was supposed to be the hub of the offense. By now, everyone probably remembers the “Nikola Jokic” worth of pressure on Boston.

However, that hasn’t really translated, more so in Clark’s absence. In the last game against the Mystics, Boston was limited to just 10 points on 5 shot attempts. So, now, as another Mystics game looms, White made it a case to repeat even at the risk of sounding like a broken record. After all, the Fever cannot afford any more lapses.

Speaking to the media, White said, “It might be using her as a hub from the low block, using her as a hub if she’s bringing the ball down the floor. I mean, Washington is going to hassle our guards 94 feet, and they have the depth at the perimeter position to do that. So AB’s going to have to help us bring the ball up the floor and get us into offense.”

CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 6: Aliyah Boston #7 of the Indiana Fever shoots a free throw during the game against the Chicago Sky on June 6, 2023 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

It all makes sense. Because the duo of Clark-Boston might be the best pick-and-roll duo ever, but if history is proof, that has never been enough for a team to find postseason success. And White has been the one to send this very duo home, so she knows the exact weaknesses that are glaringly there. Also, last season, she showed potential to be this hub from the post, and her new coach probably caught it, challenging her to do it from all over the court.

As Boston herself said, “I think last year. I was in the block, I was in the dunker [spot]..But now I’m at the [3-point line], I’m on the wing, I’m moving the ball, passing the ball from the top. So for me, just being able to find my spots in that, but once again being comfortable in every position that I’m in”.

So, yes, everything is pretty clear on paper. Boston needs to understand where she is on the floor and plan her next move accordingly, but fearlessly. Heading into Friday’s match against the Sun, the signs of improvement were there. White had emphasized the need to get her more involved, and the Fever responded early. Boston exploded for 10 points in the first quarter alone, matching her total from the entire previous game against the Mystics. But just as she was heating up, foul trouble cut her momentum short, leaving fans wondering what could’ve been.

While the coach will be counting on Boston to step up, she has also brought in someone who is expected to help the Fever manage ball-handling duties better, allowing Boston to focus more on unleashing herself.

Stephanie White talks about Caitlin Clark’s new teammate

On June 2, the Indiana Fever announced they had signed guard Aari McDonald to an emergency hardship exception contract. McDonald was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft and spent three seasons with the Atlanta Dream before joining the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024. She was averaging 8.7 points and 21.8 minutes per game last year. Coach White has now weighed in on the signing.

“I mean, I’ve always been impressed with her ability to defend, her activity on the defensive end of the floor. Her ability to get to the paint and make a decision when she gets there. She is a true point guard, so she brings that energy, she brings the ability to dictate. And she has been really good so far. It has been a lot of information to absorb quickly, and she has done a great job with it” said the coach.

With Caitlin Clark still out injured for the next two games minimum, McDonald will surely get a lot of minutes against the Mystics. It will be interesting to see how Boston and McDonald play alongside Kelsey Mitchell. Will the new guard be the spark for the Fever to snap out of their 3 game losing streak? Only time will tell.

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