Caitlin Clark Urged to Make Big Change By Fever Teammate
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The 2025 WNBA season has not gone according to play for Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. She was expected to be an MVP candidate and to lead her team to WNBA championship contention.
So far this year, Clark has dealt with two different injury issues that have kept her out of games.
While the Fever have not been bad, they hold a 9-8 record. That is far from where most had expected them to be 17 games into the season.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on from the bench in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 03, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on from the bench in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 03, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photo byAs for Clark, she has been able to play in just nine games. She has averaged 18.2 points per game to go along with 8.9 assists, five rebounds, and 1.6 steals, shooting 39 percent from the floor and 29.5 percent from three-point range.
Read more: WNBA Legend Gets Honest About Fever Star Caitlin Clark's Biggest Problem
To say that the season has been a disappointment thus far would be accurate.
With that being said, one of Clark's teammate has offered her some major advice. Clark has been urged to consider making a major change to her game moving forward, which would take a lot of pressure off of her and perhaps keep her healthy.
Natasha Howard recently spoke out about Clark and offered what she thinks could help Clark quite a bit.
"Everybody knows she can shoot the heck out the ball. And she can pass," Howard said. "But just letting her know you don't have to do everything like you had to do in Iowa. You have great teammates and phenomenal players around you that can take that weight off your shoulders."
She continued on, imploring Clark to let her teammates carry more of the pressure.
"You don't have to do everything. We expect you to knock down those clutch shots, that's what we expect you to do. But overall, you don't have to do everything. Give us some of your pressure, too."
Read more: Dick Vitale Defends Caitlin Clark Amid WNBA All-Star Controversy
Through her first two seasons, Clark has suffered through a lot of wear and tear. She has been on the receiving end of a lot of hard fouls and apparent cheap shots. Plenty of media coverage has turned against her as well.
Howard's advice is good advice. Clark should rely more on her teammates in order to extend her career.
Hopefully, she's able to get back to full health and make a big impact on the Fever and help lead them to a deep run in the playoffs.
Make sure to follow Newsweek Sports for all Indiana Fever and WNBA news and updates.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark Injury Update Has WNBA Fans Deeply Worried
Caitlin Clark Injury Update Has WNBA Fans Deeply Worried originally appeared on The Spun. The Indiana Fever are slowly but surely getting used to life without Caitlin Clark. Earlier this season, Clark missed a few games due to a quad injury. She returned to the hardwood on June 14 and reminded the world why she's a generational talent, scoring 32 points in a win over the New York Liberty. A few games later however, she went down with a groin strain. Advertisement Clark last played for the Fever on June 24 against the Seattle Storm. They've gone 3-1 in the last four games without her, which gives the coaching staff reason to be patient with their All-Star guard. "My goal has always been the same: I don't want this to be something that lingers, that we come back too soon," Fever coach Stephanie White told reporters this week. "We want to make sure that she is 100% ready to go and that we put her long-term health and wellness at the forefront." Unfortunately for WNBA fans, Clark will miss her fifth consecutive game on Saturday when the Fever take on the Los Angeles Sparks. Her status was officially announced on Friday afternoon. IOWA CITY, IA - MAY 4: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Brazil Women's National Basketball Team during the WNBA preseason game on May 4, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)After learning that Clark will miss Saturday's game, WNBA fans expressed their concerns online. Many of them believe the former No. 1 pick's groin injury is far more serious than initially expected. Advertisement "This is actually getting annoying. Like they were never honest of the severity of the injury we all knew it was going to be weeks but they said it was day to day," one fan said in response to Clark's status. "Like a stab through my heart every time," a second fan wrote on X. "Nah this is crazy what is wrong with that groin dawg," another fan said. "This injury serious man they tried hiding it too long and having her play when they knew she wasn't 100%," a Fever fan commented. Maybe the Fever are giving Clark a few more days off before their game on July 9. If Clark is unable to suit up for next Wednesday's game, it might be time to sound the alarm. Advertisement Related: WNBA Referees Are Under Fire For 'Failing' Caitlin Clark Caitlin Clark Injury Update Has WNBA Fans Deeply Worried first appeared on The Spun on Jul 4, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Indiana Fever Player on Temporary Leave Reacts to New Post on Thursday
Indiana Fever Player on Temporary Leave Reacts to New Post on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Fever have been playing without several key contributors as of late. Caitlin Clark has missed the last three games for the Fever and Damiris Dantas has missed time, both for entirely different reasons. Advertisement Clark is working through a groin injury while Dantas is playing for the Brazilian national team on an overseas commitment with FIBA. Dantas is playing in the AmeriCupW, looking to lead her home country to a medal during qualifiers for the World Cup and Olympics in the future. On Thursday, while Dantas was away from the team, the Fever forward took to social media to send a kind note to Natasha Howard, who was recently named the Commissioner's Cup Championship Game MVP and reached the 4,000-point career milestone. "Natasha Howard was honored pregame for being named MVP of the Commissioner's Cup & reaching 4,000 points," posted the official social media account of the Indiana Fever. Advertisement Damiris Dantas then responded to the news, sharing her reaction on social media. Damiris Dantas flexes Natasha Howard being named the Commissioner's Cup Dantas, Instagram Natasha Howard helped lead the Indiana Fever to a victory over the Minnesota Lynx for the WNBA's Commissioner's Cup Championship. During the win over the Lynx, Howard posted 16 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. In her first season back with the Fever, Howard has averaged 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie Smith/INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images While Damiris Dantas is away from the team, she previously found success during her second season with the Indiana Fever. Under head coach Stephanie White, Dantas has posted 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Advertisement Related: Patrick Mahomes Receives Unfortunate News on Monday Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Sideline Moment During Indiana Fever Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
WNBA Player Sends Clear Message After Being Released by Valkyries
WNBA Player Sends Clear Message After Being Released by Valkyries originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The WNBA landscape recently changed with the return of several international players. During the season, the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 welcomed a flurry of WNBA talent as a qualifying event for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Advertisement One of many players on temporary leave from the WNBA was former Golden State Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo. She played for her home country, Belgium, which repeated as EuroBasket champion. Vanloo was playing in her first season with the Valkyries when she departed from the team on temporary leave. As Vanloo returned to the United States, concluding her participation in the EuroBasket event, she was released from the Valkyries. Soon after, Vanloo was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Sparks. She spoke on the process of being released by Golden State and acquired by L.A. "I still can't believe it," Vanloo said. "So much has happened in such a short amount of time. I'm still processing everything. Thank you EVERYONE for supporting me through this rollercoaster. This was a huge game changer to never give up. I'll make a video about everything that has happened the passed 48 hours in the next days. Now I'm going to rest and relax because I'm exhausted." Advertisement Julie Vanloo, Instagram Julie Vanloo, Instagram In her first game with the Los Angeles Sparks, Julie Vanloo played just two minutes, getting a feel for her new team later in the game. The Sparks wound up losing to the New York Liberty, 89-79. Former Golden State Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo (35).Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Before joining the Los Angeles Sparks, Julie Vanloo averaged 4.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game with the Golden State Valkyries. Vanloo will have another opportunity to carve out a role in the Sparks' lineup on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET against the Indiana Fever. Related: Stephanie White Makes Strong Statement After Indiana Fever Game on Thursday Related: Indiana Fever Player on Temporary Leave Reacts to New Post on Thursday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
