Caitlin Clark set for off-ball trial as Fever shake up offense
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White is ready to unveil a bold new look when Caitlin Clark returns to action—by giving her star point guard a different role.
Clark, who’s played just nine of the team’s 19 games due to lingering quad and groin injuries, returned to full practice on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s showdown with the Golden State Valkyries. But instead of resuming her usual duties as the floor general, Clark took reps off the ball—lining up beside newly signed guard Aari McDonald for the first time.
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“We finally got a chance to try it,” White said after practice. “I’m excited to see where it goes.”
A Strategic Shift Aimed at Elevating Clark
Clark has put up stellar numbers when healthy, averaging 18.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game, but her efficiency took a hit in recent appearances, including a 1-for-23 stretch from deep across her last three games. Moving her off the ball may be the key to easing that pressure and getting her cleaner looks.
“Playing her with Aari could take some of the ball-handling load off her shoulders and give us some flexibility,” White explained. “We can show teams different looks. And it might just help her find a better rhythm.”
White is no stranger to dual-point guard lineups. During her previous tenure as Fever head coach in 2015 and 2016, she frequently paired ball-handlers in the backcourt. Now with McDonald and Clark both available, she’s ready to experiment again.
While Clark prepares to captain and draft her All-Star team this week, her role with the Fever is quietly being reimagined. The upcoming game may offer the first glimpse at a version of Caitlin Clark fans haven’t seen yet—one moving without the ball, creating space, and attacking from unexpected angles.
This adjustment might be unprecedented, but it just might be what Indiana needs to unlock the next level.
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Category: Basketball
