The Indiana Fever hosted defending champions the New York Liberty at home at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 24 — an electric game of basketball that enthralled fans from start to finish. The Fever lost 90-88, but the team's performance on Saturday showed that from top to bottom, the changes they've made this year are working.
Despite the team's loss, the game showed that the front office's offseason and preseason decisions were sound — and that there's a lot to look forward to this season.
Bringing on seasoned vets Sophie Cunningham and DeWanna Bonner
Cunningham and Bonner both signed one-year contracts with the Fever earlier this year to great excitement, and both showed exactly why they belong in Indiana today. Bonner, who was back at the four where she excels, offered a masterclass in blocking in the second quarter, and Cunningham brought her signature spark to the Fever every time the team needed it most (and hit needed shots, ending the game with 5 points). Though there's still plenty of growth that needs to take place (Bonner was blocked while trying to make what could have been a game-winning shot), the bones of this team are solid.
Caitlin Clark is fouling harder and more frequently
It's clear Coach White has a lot of confidence in Clark, something that was especially highlighted by the fouls Clark levied against the Liberty — a repeat of her performance against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday. Clark had already racked two fouls by the end of the first quarter, and ended the game with 5 in total. That's something that might make other coaches a little jittery, but when it comes to Clark it certainly seems like White has full faith in her sophomore star.
New schemes are taking the pressure off Clark
Though she didn't have a huge shooting game for most of the match, Clark was able to move the ball around the court in a way that benefited everyone, including herself. Unlike last year, when she shouldered a lot of the burden for the team's wins and losses, this season, Clark has a whole host of teammates who can — and do — take over. Kelsey Mitchell hit a three with just over two minutes left in the game, a moment that tied everything up 65-65.
The team is emotionally balanced
The addition of vets who know what it takes to win championships has also meant the Fever has started playing a somewhat less emotional games. Tempers still flair, but the team clearly trusts the leadership of players like Bonner, Cunningham, and Sydney Colson, and focuses more on getting the job of basketball done.