Caitlin Clark’s Absence Exposes Deeper Issues for the Indiana Fever: “We’re Circled on Everyone’s Schedule—and No One Likes Us”

The Indiana Fever are learning the hard way what life looks like without Caitlin Clark on the court—and the results so far have been far from encouraging.

With their star rookie sidelined for the second time this season, the Fever have fallen to a 2-4 record in games where Clark didn’t suit up. And while some fans want to chalk it up to bad luck or unfortunate injuries, others—inside and outside the locker room—are starting to ask tougher questions about the team’s chemistry, consistency, and overall direction.

A Season of Disruption

From the start of the 2025 WNBA season, the Indiana Fever have faced more than their fair share of hurdles. Injuries have plagued the roster, lineup changes have been frequent, and off-the-court distractions haven’t helped.

Sophie Cunningham, who joined the Fever this offseason in a high-profile trade, isn’t sugarcoating the situation.

“I think so far this season we’ve dealt with a lot of distractions,” Cunningham said candidly after the team’s latest loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. “Some injuries… don’t know who’s playing.”

Cunningham’s frustration was evident, and with good reason. Against the Sparks, the Fever actually led going into the fourth quarter—only to be outscored 35-17 in the final 10 minutes and fall to 7-8 on the season.

That collapse was just the latest example of a disturbing trend: without Clark running the offense and providing her trademark floor leadership, the Fever simply haven’t been able to close out games.

Life Without Clark: A Growing Problem

Clark’s impact on the court has been undeniable. She’s averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game—numbers that have made her a Rookie of the Year frontrunner and earned her a spot on the All-WNBA First Team just months into her professional career.

But her influence goes beyond the stat sheet.

“She’s our engine,” one Fever teammate said anonymously. “When she’s out, you can feel the difference in pace, in energy… everything.”

Clark’s current injury—this time to her left groin—came just weeks after she returned from a separate quad injury that already sidelined her for five games earlier in the season. The team has not disclosed MRI results and continues to list her as day-to-day.

Head coach Stephanie White offered little clarity on Clark’s timeline.

“It’s very much a day-to-day thing,” White said. “We’ll see how she responds to treatment.”

Cunningham Calls for Accountability

For her part, Sophie Cunningham isn’t making excuses—but she is calling for a major attitude adjustment inside the Fever locker room.

“We are circled on everybody’s schedule,” Cunningham said bluntly. “No one likes us, right? So everyone in our locker room—that’s the only type of people that we have that we can lean on.”

Cunningham’s comments reflect the reality that the Fever have become one of the league’s most talked-about teams—not just because of Clark’s presence, but because of the intense spotlight that follows them wherever they go.

That spotlight, Cunningham suggests, brings pressure that the team hasn’t always handled well.

“We’ve got to stay disciplined, we have to stay focused, we need to get consistent, and we got to lean on each other,” she added. “And I think we’ve kind of wavered on that.”

The Chemistry Question

Despite their record, the Fever have undeniable talent on paper. Alongside Clark and Cunningham, the team features standouts like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell—players with proven WNBA credentials.

So why can’t this roster find consistency?

Cunningham hinted at deeper chemistry issues that may be lurking beneath the surface.

“We’ve had to deal with a lot of different lineups and rotations because of injuries, and that makes it hard to build rhythm,” she said. “But at the end of the day, we’re professionals. We have to figure it out.”

That sense of urgency is only growing as the losses pile up.

Looking Ahead: Can the Fever Recover?

The Fever’s next test comes Friday against the Dallas Wings—a matchup that’s becoming must-win territory if Indiana hopes to stay afloat in the playoff race.

But there’s still no word on whether Clark will be available.

Without her, Indiana will again have to lean on a patchwork offense and hope their defense can hold up against a Wings team eager to exploit the Fever’s recent fourth-quarter meltdowns.

For Cunningham, it’s all about flipping the narrative before it’s too late.

“Let’s go through the adversity early, let’s learn from it,” she said. “The good news is we’re not gonna peak too early, so I mean that’s a positive. It’s not an excuse. Everyone’s playing a back-to-back, everyone has this kind of rough schedule.”

Her message is clear: The Fever need to toughen up—and fast.

Final Thoughts: A Season at a Crossroads

The Indiana Fever are now staring down the reality of life without Caitlin Clark, and the results speak for themselves. A 2-4 record in her absence is more than just a small slump—it’s a warning sign.

If Clark’s injury lingers longer than expected, the Fever will need to find new ways to generate offense, build chemistry, and close out games under pressure. Whether that means lineup changes, tactical adjustments, or simply a new mental approach remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: The excuses are running out.

For a team that started the season with so much hype and hope, the next few weeks could determine everything—from playoff positioning to locker room harmony to the future trajectory of the franchise.

As Cunningham put it best: “It’s another opportunity tomorrow—and we’ve got to capitalize on it.”