Caitlin Clark and Lexie Hull have quietly built something this season. You may say, their partnership is very much akin to what Batman and Robin have. In both games where the two have started together, the Indiana Fever have come away with wins. Clark has taken notice of what Hull brings, and the connection between them runs deeper than anything that happens on the court.

“I think she’s been great ever since coming back from the hamstring injury,” Clark said in her latest presser. “I told her she needs to stop falling down so much. Like she’s just constantly falling down. It stresses me out. Like she’s got this cut on her leg that just doesn’t stop bleeding because she’s always on the ground. But she’s just tenacious what her matchup is, she’s going to go after them.”

Hull was among several Indiana Fever players who spent the early part of the season managing injuries. A hamstring problem kept her out through the preseason, and even after she worked her way back into the rotation, the team was careful with her minutes. Since then, Hull has built a good momentum and is now logging around 20 minutes a game.

However, hamstring injuries carry a fragility that does not disappear overnight. The risk of a setback still remains very real. Clark’s concern for her fellow Fever guard, given everything Hull has had to manage, is quite well founded.

Hull’s intensity on the perimeter and her willingness to battle opposition guards comes naturally to her. But that same aggression, and what Caitlin Clark called her “constant falling,” is something she will need to manage carefully. The Fever are leaning on Hull, and staying on the court is just as important as what she does while on it.

With Lexie Hull in the rotation, the Indiana Fever look much more stable defensively. Furthermore, providing her team with a solid defensive lineup is something that Hull takes personally. “I’m probably my worst critic,” Hull said in her latest interview. “I feel like there’s so much room to grow on that side of the court, but it’s something I’ve taken personally. It’s the foundation.”

Hull numbers might not always echo her performance in the game. But the fans watching the game know the importance of Hull’s defensive output for the team. Currently, she’s averaging 7.0 ppg, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks. Individually, these stats aren’t the most eye-catching, but from the team’s perspective, her contribution immediately changes the conversation.

According to SI journalist Lindsay Burke, who derived the data from the WNBA’s advanced 3-player lineup metrics, Hull, Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell are averaging 29.8 points in just 11.5 minutes, and have a plus-minus of 7.8. It ranks the combination sixth among the many Indiana Fever 3-player lineups. This adds even more weight to the importance of Hull for the Fever.

“She’s (Hull) going to pick up full,” Clark added of Hull in the interview. “She’s going to do all the little things. I think that’s like something you really appreciate, and she doesn’t care how many points she scores. She leads the team in deflections every single game. She’s going to get steals, and she’s going to guard the best player.”

Lexie Hull’s skill set suggests the Indiana Fever will need to make a tactical overhaul of their current approach if she suffers an unfortunate injury, adding weight to the concerns around her. It’s true that most of the attention in the team goes to their Big Three- Clark, Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston. But Hull is central too, and CC isn’t the only one to echo this sentiment.

Stephanie White Joins Caitlin Clark in Praising Lexie Hull’s Tenacious Energy

While Lexie Hull’s defensive efforts weren’t enough to prove her mettle, her offensive skill set just adds to the icing. The 26-year-old is currently boasting a 50% from beyond the arc. It isn’t just any eye-catching number. Instead, it remarks that the Fever can also dictate the offense with Hull at times and doesn’t always have to rely on Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.

Hull’s effort on the court is quite notable and has also been recognized by Fever head coach Stephanie White.

“A lot easier. She covers a lot of gaps,” White said. “She comes with great energy. It’s funny because I was talking to one of her college assistant coaches just yesterday, and she was like, “Have you ever had a bad day coaching Lexi?” and it’s no. She just goes out there. And she busts her **** every single time. She’s a good teammate. She’s got good energy, and she does whatever you ask all the time, and we know she’s going to be solid for us.”

Though Lexie Hull continues to lead the team’s defense, Stephanie White’s team has also seen contributions from other players. Caitlin Clark, who isn’t touted as the most reliable defender, currently has 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.

It’s quite a valuable addition, given that Clark’s role is shaped by playmaking and scoring, and in turn is leading the team in points (23.8) and the league in assists (9.0). Aliyah Boston is another player whose physicality gives the Indiana Fever an interior presence.

This overall contribution by players like Hull, Boston, and Clark has been prevalent in the Fever’s last few games. The team has given away 80+ points just once in their last three outings, unlike their first three games, where they conceded 100+ points twice.

With the lineup getting into the groove, the Indiana Fever is looking more balanced than in the initial games. They are already on a three-game winning streak. And with the momentum of these players, Caitlin Clark and team will be difficult to stop on Thursday as well, when they face the Golden State Valkyries at the Chase Center.