Caitlin Clark Quietly Fades Away As Valkyries HC Unveils Masterplan Behind 3-0 Fever Sweep

Let’s be honest, Caitlin Clark’s sophomore year has been nothing like expected. She’s missed 18 straight games with two groin injuries, a quad problem, and a bone bruise. Yet even without her on the court, Indy made its way into the playoff conversation. Nakase predicted the same: “A team like that plays hard, is resilient through all these injuries, you always have to be ready,” she shared in a pregame press conference. But despite Indy’s resilience, the Valkyries executed a masterful game plan, completing a 3-0 sweep that underscored how GSV was ready to exploit Indy’s challenges.

When Fever entered the Chase Center in full dominance mode, keeping up with their “one game at a time” strategy, it didn’t work against GSV. In a stop-and-go game caused by shot clock malfunctions that stretched the contest, Indy fell to the Valks 75-63. As admitted by HC, losing momentum wasn’t due to the delay. It was defensive lapses instead that cost the Fever the sweep for the first time this season, as Valks are now 3-0 in the regular season. But the Valks came with a strategy too.

“Yeah, I mean, we have to because we’re playing these teams three or four times. And so we can’t keep giving them the same coverage, especially when they’ve changed their identity too,” shared the Valks HC in the postgame press conference when asked about being more flexible in their first season. Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but playing against the Fever’s a task too.

The team continues to add players to the roster as a way to navigate adversity. But that makes them unpredictable. When Aari was added, she was on fire just after watching films. Even Odyssey Sims, the 17th addition to the roster, while it took her a couple of games to adjust, is now spot on. She’s averaging around 10.6 points per game with 4.1 assists over the last eight games. But it’s not just about adding new players.

“Without Caitlin Clark, like Kelsey Mitchell has come to life 10 times full. I mean, she’s tough coverage. She is fast. And that was something we weren’t used to. So you could just see her coming off staggers, coming off pin downs. And our players are just like, oh my gosh, she’s fast. So it had to be a team effort, obviously, with Kelsey Mitchell,” added the Valks head coach.

Even the existing players, Mitchell, AB, and Hull, have taken new roles with the team. Every time a player went on the injured list, there was “a next woman standing up” to lead the squad. And for the past few games, it’s been the “silent assassin” Kelsey Mitchell. The potential MVP candidate is indeed fast, putting up 21.4 points with 4.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds on average in her last 10 games. This run also includes her 38-point effort to drive the Fever at the last moment against the Connecticut Sun on August 17.

But she’s not alone. “Boston is a load inside. She’s super strong, super crafty with her footwork. And then Natasha Howard came to life too, just getting in there, ducking in, and being physical and finishing. So yeah, just again, credit to…Powell for being creative. And credit to our players for executing. But it doesn’t happen if there’s no trust,” HC put it better.

Well, that’s how Fever’s been over the past few games. They’re 4-6 with an average of 82.3 points per game in their last 10 outings. The team that lost its offensive core for 18 games so far is not just surviving but competing. They’ve surged to 21-19 without Caitlin Clark, though they’ve slipped toward No. 8 in the standings. All thanks to the perfect execution by the Valks’ roster, as HC mentioned.

As Indy’s zone defense failed, GSV capitalized. Through the first quarter, they managed to hit threes at will. The strategy was simple: catch and shoot from three-point range. And the players did exactly that, going 7-for-8 from behind the arc in the first quarter, and finishing 12-of-19 for the game. Indy, meanwhile, was limited to just 6-for-30. So yeah, the Valks are going to be a threat in the playoffs for sure—if Indy makes it!

Fever’s playoff hopes depend on Caitlin Clark’s return. Will she be ready?

Indy’s sailing between the 6th and 8th spots in the W standings so far. With their recent loss to Valks, they’ve dropped in the standings, battling for the final playoff spot, with just a handful of games remaining to make the postseason. But the HC’s hopeful. “And so, you know, we got to, we got to learn from this one, and we got to go into Phoenix and we got to be better. Thank you,” she shared in the same press conference. But even if the team makes the postseason, the situation isn’t getting better.

While Sims is signed to a permanent contract, CC’s still hopeful for a return. She’s already missed 18 consecutive games since being sidelined in mid-July with a right groin injury. “The experience throughout the year, trying to come back and come back quickly, has also taught her that she needs to make sure that she’s 100 percent,” White said in the latest update about Caitlin Clark.

“Yes, every competitor wants to play, but at the same time, doing it the right way and making sure, after we’ve had a couple of setbacks, that we’re prioritising her long-term health and wellness is the most important thing.” CC, despite being out for much of the 2025 season, still has a serious impact on Fever.

With her, the team’s net rating improves significantly, and while she’s missed over a third of the games so far, she’s still averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. The real anticipation is for her to return to the starting lineup to accomplish White’s championship dream.