No one was going to leave this game unscathed. After DeWanna Bonner was vehemently booed in the previous Indiana Fever-Phoenix Mercury game, it was going to be heated and physical. Mercury came out all guns blazing with the full force of a 17,071 crowd in PHX Arena behind them. They went ahead by 10 in the first quarter, much of which was credited to Bonner and her fiancée Alyssa Thomas, who scored 5 and 11 points each. But the 2x champion wasn’t only loud with her scorecard. 

With 2:02 left in the first quarter, Bonner served notice to the Fever, positioning herself at the top of the arc with Hull clinging to her like a shadow. Thomas fired a crisp pass her way after orchestrating a series of brutal screens that peeled the Fever guard away. Bonner put down her first three-pointer of the night and immediately stared down at her replacement while exchanging some words. Hull showed no emotion.

In the next play, Thomas pounced on Aari McDonald’s sloppy pass like a predator, snatching the steal, and cruising to the other end for an effortless layup. It was an early statement from the couple putting pressure on the youngster and the Indiana Fever side. The team was down by 11 points, and their current rivals were setting the floor on fire. It was especially hard on Hull, who is having a rough stretch of games.

However, Caitlin Clark, the coach, was to the rescue.

Being sidelined doesn’t have to be glum and isolating and the reigning ROTY is proving it. Right from her first injury, Stephanie White encouraged Clark to wear a coaching hat and view the game from the staff’s perspective. She did too. “She’s starting to recognize some of those things, starting to recognize mismatches, switches… you can see it differently from the sideline,” the HC admitted. So Clark’s not taking her eyes off the game.

When she is not out picking White brains, a clipboard in hand, or arguing with the refs, she’s up hyping her teammates. So when one of the Tres Leches needed it, Clark showed up. In the timeout that followed, the injured point guard cheered Hull and offered some wisdom with a stern face. She was in full force. And the fans were all in for the support. 

Fans Praise Clark’s Leadership Move After Bonner Goes After Hull

DeWanna Bonner did not exit Indiana on the best of terms. “Honestly, this has been a journey to get back to just being happy playing basketball again,” she admitted after the game on Thursday night. Back in Indiana, as her minutes grew limited, it was Lexie Hull who had stepped in to take the starting position. So fans have reasons to believe that stare down was symbolic. And hence when CC stepped up, they couldn’t have cheered louder virtually. One had just the right GIF.

“You tell her cc!!” another wrote as Hull needed to channel some energy from Clark. She has been having a bad string of games, with 17 single-digit performances. The three-point shot we all admired early in the season has practically disappeared. Hull could not follow Clark’s encouragement with a redeeming performance, but it showed us that Clark is still important to this team even when injured.

Like another fan wrote, “The best on and off the court.” We all know of her on-court exploits. Her vision is like no other, and her outside shot is a dagger. She was arguably the best rookie point guard last year, with the most assists. While she looked on track to continue with it this year, injuries forced her to the bench. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is doing all she can to help with the performance. Clark is yelling at the referees, calling plays, and encouraging her teammates as a team player.

While Clark encouraged Hull to do better, this fan had different ideas: “Probably be a good time to yell ‘quitter’ in DB’s face. Wish the Fever players stop playing nice. Just this once.” While Clark has encouraging words for her teammates, she is also an avid trash-talker. From DT to Jacy Sheldon, she hasn’t shied away. But Bonner? The Fever haven’t had much to say. The most one of them has done, is say: “I also think it’s okay to be professional about it and send a text to your teammates.” That was Sophie Cunningham. Later in the game, she got into bit of a scuffle with the vet. But that was about as much reaction from the Fever. 

Nonetheless, the fans are taking what they get. “Lez Go,” one encouraged while another declared, “You know from that look that she’ll remember this! Not her Lexie.” You know the dynamic Clark and Hull share by now. From hilarious banter on the gram to choosing each other for long road trips, they are certified besties. So we get why the moment would mean so much.

But back on court, it is tough road ahead for the Fever, having lost both of their point guards to injuries. Hull will need to return to her early-season form if the Fever needs to stay afloat. As for Clark, her leadership is great off the court, but it’s certainly better when she is running the show on the hardwood.