“If We Don’t Have Caitlin, GREAT!”: Teammate’s Stunning Comment Reveals Phoenix’s True Identity

In the world of professional sports, the absence of a superstar player is typically met with carefully worded anxieties and hopes for a speedy recovery. It’s a moment for teams to talk about “stepping up” and “filling big shoes.” It is almost never, under any circumstance, met with the word “great.” Yet, that was the exact word used by Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham when discussing the day-to-day uncertainty surrounding a player of Caitlin Clark’s magnitude. Her blunt assessment sent a ripple of surprise through the post-game press conference, but it also offered a profound insight into the resilient and defiant identity taking shape in the Mercury locker room.

Following a crucial victory over the formidable Las Vegas Aces, a game played under the shadow of Clark’s potential absence, Cunningham laid out the team’s mentality with startling clarity. “If we have Caitlyn, great, and we know how to play with her,” she stated. “If we don’t have Caitlyn, great, we know how to play without her.” This wasn’t a dismissal of their star rookie’s monumental talent; it was a powerful declaration of collective confidence. It was a statement that Phoenix is more than a one-person show; they are a team that is learning to win on their own terms, under any circumstances. For a team that has navigated the choppy waters of inconsistency, this newfound mindset is more valuable than any single box score.

The foundation of this burgeoning confidence isn’t rooted in some complex offensive scheme or a hot shooting streak. According to the players themselves, it’s forged in the grit and grind of the defensive end of the court. Teammate Natasha Cloud, who joined Cunningham at the podium, repeatedly hammered this point home. “It started off with our defense,” Cloud explained. “We don’t rely on our offense a lot. We rely on our defense… when our defense is going, our offense is going.” This philosophy was on full display against Vegas. Cloud noted their success came from a simple, disciplined goal: limiting the opponent to a single shot per possession. By securing defensive rebounds and preventing second-chance points, Phoenix was able to control the pace and create the fluid, open looks on offense that every team covets.

This defense-first identity is a deliberate strategic shift, one designed to build a more stable and reliable path to victory. Relying on offense, especially three-point shooting, can be a volatile existence. Nights when the shots aren’t falling can quickly spiral into demoralizing losses. A commitment to defense, however, is about effort, communication, and will—variables that are far more controllable than the bounce of a ball. For Phoenix, this has become the bedrock of their approach. It’s how they plan to weather storms and, more importantly, how they stop the bleeding when opponents inevitably make a push.

One of the most significant takeaways from their win was not just the final score, but how they achieved it. Cunningham spoke directly to the team’s past struggles with mental toughness. “We have been struggling and inconsistent when they go on runs,” she admitted. Anyone who has followed the team knows this has been an Achilles’ heel. A four-point deficit could quickly balloon to double digits, leading to frantic play and unforced errors. Against the Aces, however, there was a palpable change. When Vegas made their run, the Mercury didn’t fold. They didn’t get rattled. Instead, there was a calm resolve. “We were like, ‘Okay, they got their run. Now it’s our turn,’” Cloud recounted.

This ability to absorb a punch and punch back is the hallmark of a mentally strong team. It’s a testament to the growth and maturity that is developing within the group. Cunningham called it a “big step for us,” emphasizing that it was as much a mental victory as a physical one. The challenge, as she rightly pointed out, is consistency. But this win serves as a crucial piece of evidence that they are capable of it. They have proven to themselves that they can stare down adversity and not blink. This experience is invaluable, building a reserve of collective belief that they can draw upon in the high-pressure moments that lie ahead.

Ironically, the uncertainty around Clark’s availability may be the very catalyst for this growth. With a player as dominant as Clark, it can be natural for teammates to become deferential, to look to her to make the big play every time down the court. Her absence, even if temporary, forces everyone else to elevate their game. It compels them to be more assertive, to take on more responsibility, and to trust in their own abilities. Cunningham touched on this dynamic perfectly. “It gives people confidence that when she is back… they know their role,” she said. “And when she’s not, they have the confidence to come out there and make big plays for us.”

Players like Natasha Cloud are thriving with this opportunity, taking advantage of defensive matchups and playing her game with aggression and poise. The second half of the Vegas game saw her and the team settle in, drastically cutting down on the turnovers that had plagued them earlier. This wasn’t a fluke; it was the result of a team finding its rhythm and trusting each other. When Clark does return to the court, she will be rejoining a squad that is not just deeper, but more self-assured. Her teammates will have proven to themselves and everyone else that they are threats in their own right, making the team as a whole infinitely more dangerous and unpredictable for opponents to defend. The Mercury are no longer just waiting for their star to save them; they are learning to save themselves, and that might just be the “great”est development of their season.