It was a busy day for Caitlin Clark! No, she didn’t log in even for a second. No, she wasn’t the one lighting up the scoreboard. But she had enough on her plate. Pre-game, it was her babysitting duties. During the game, she was on coach mode. And post-game, she did her star duties, signing autographs. While she was doing everything but playing, she still managed to shine. Sadly, her team… not so much.

The Washington Mystics rolled into Gainbridge Fieldhouse looking to snap a three-game losing streak. And they picked the perfect time to pounce. Indiana was missing its engine. For some time, it looked like they had it under control. But after a strong first quarter, it unraveled. 

The Fever ended up with a 77-83 loss. The wildest stat of the night has to be that Indiana had ZERO transition points. Just to put that into perspective, they had 49 of those when Caitlin was playing in the previous four games. That’s what Clark does…she sparks those fast breaks, gets the ball moving, and creates chaos.

Whether it was the Mystics locking in or the void left by Caitlin Clark, one thing’s crystal clear… Indiana’s offense looked completely out of sync on Wednesday night. The Fever shot a rough 39.7% from the field and just 23.8% from beyond the arc. Things only got worse after halftime, with that number dipping to 36% in the second half.

And it wasn’t just a cold shooting night; Indiana struggled to get clean looks, especially down the stretch. At one point, Washington led by 12, and even as Indiana chipped away, it never felt like they had the offensive rhythm to truly threaten a comeback. We knew that with Clark sidelined, the offensive blueprint would look different.

Aliyah Boston became the centerpiece, with veterans Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham handling point duties. But it didn’t pan out. Boston was limited to just five shot attempts, scoring 10 points. Kelsey Mitchell had an off night, too, shooting just 25% from the field. On the other end, Washington found early sparks from Shakira Austin, who dropped 13 of her 15 points in the first half.

And when Indiana began pushing in the fourth, rookie Kiki Iriafen slammed the door shut with a burst of layups that killed the Fever’s momentum. She finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds, yet another powerful display in what’s shaping up to be a serious Rookie of the Year campaign. But Iriafen’s case goes beyond numbers.

She’s trusted in defensive matchups, takes on key offensive responsibilities in half-court sets, and plays with a relentless energy that separates her from the pack. Her solo 4-0 run late in the game was the perfect snapshot of her value. The Mystics now sit at 3-3, already inching past last year’s pace. Iriafen is a major reason why.

Still, you can’t help but wonder: if Indiana hadn’t let go of a key transition player, would this story have had a different ending?

Caitlin Clark’s former teammate was a key piece on the move

Temi Fagbenle is now in a new city, but her presence in Indiana still lingers. After being selected in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft, the former Fever forward has hit the ground running with the Golden State Valkyries, and she’s doing more than just fitting in.

Fagbenle had two stints with the Fever – first in 2021, and then again in 2024 – but last season marked a real turning point. She averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, both career highs, and became a reliable piece off the bench. But her real value was in transition play. Whether it was getting back on defense or sprinting ahead for easy buckets, she added speed and energy that matched Indiana’s up-tempo style perfectly.

“She’s like a deer,” former head coach Christie Sides said. “She can run the floor in transition, grab boards, and just brings a different dynamic.” Fagbenle even started two games and logged major minutes during the postseason. For a team that turned its season around early, she was one of the six most impactful players on the roster.

That’s what made it surprising when Indiana chose not to protect her in the Expansion Draft. But looking at the bigger picture, it begins to make sense. The Fever are stepping into a new era with a different head coach and a vision for a faster, more future-focused squad. On top of that, Fagbenle was set to hit free agency. She’s earned a pay bump – no question – but with a new CBA on the horizon and major free agency spending likely ahead, the Fever had to make tough choices. And for Fagbenle, things worked out perfectly. 

She’s now starting in Golden State and averaging 10 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The system suits her, and she’s proving just how valuable she can be when given the opportunity. Back in Indiana, things were a bit rocky in the recent matchup, but overall are going pretty good. Up next, they are bracing for their next challenge: facing a winless Connecticut Sun team. 

Another test for the evolving squad without their captain. Let’s see what they bring to the floor this time.