It was an ugly loss for the Aces
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon didn’t hold back after her team was overwhelmed by the Indiana Fever on Thursday night. Speaking before the game and reflecting on the 81-54 loss, Hammon acknowledged that preparing for Indiana without Caitlin Clark created a late shift in strategy, one that didn’t work out in the Aces’ favor.
“We had a whole plan built around Clark,” Hammon said pregame. “Once we found out she wasn’t going, we had to reset and simplify things a little.”
That reset didn’t stop Indiana from steamrolling her team. The Fever broke a 16-game losing streak against Las Vegas and looked like the more together squad from the opening tip. Clark missed her ninth game of the season with a groin injury, but Indiana didn’t miss a step.
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Aliyah Boston was nearly unstoppable inside, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 25 points, along with six assists and two steals. It was a complete effort from a team finding its rhythm, even without its most famous player.
Hammon Still Respects Clark’s Impact
While Clark didn’t play, Hammon made it clear how much respect she has for the rookie’s presence on the floor, and how that presence affects opposing coaches.
“She demands a different kind of attention,” Hammon said. “She’s one of those players where you have to scout for the fine details. It’s not just about her shooting. It’s her movement, how she draws defenders, how she changes the pace. When she’s out, it opens the door for others to get more involved.”
Hammon also joked that her team might have approached things differently, even trying to press Sydney Colson just to stir things up. But that minor adjustment didn’t slow the Fever’s momentum, as Indiana controlled the game on both ends and looked energized throughout.
The Aces, meanwhile, continue to struggle to find consistency this season. While their championship pedigree remains intact, Thursday’s loss showed they’re vulnerable, especially against a younger, faster team playing with confidence.
Indiana returns to action Friday night against the Los Angeles Sparks. As of now, there’s no official word on whether Clark will return to the lineup.
Hammon’s honest take on Clark’s impact offered a rare window into how seriously coaches across the league are taking the rookie’s presence. Even when she’s not on the floor, Caitlin Clark is still shaping the way the WNBA prepares, competes, and reacts.
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Category: Basketball
