If not Caitlin Clark, then who? Clark has proven time and again that she delivers when it matters most. The Indiana Fever felt her absence, managing just two wins in five games without their star point guard. Facing an unbeaten opponent and dealing with the inconsistency of their own, the team needed a spark, and they got it with the return of Caitlin Clark to the lineup.

And that proved to be the point of difference as she put up the second-most points she has ever scored in the W with 32. Along with her shooting, she also gave 9 assists in the process to lead the Fever to a 104-88 win. The 32 points included 7 three-pointers, and it was not only about the points but how she got them. Clark went on a shooting spree in the second quarter and shelled out three logo threes within a minute. That sequence drew an honest response from former WNBA All-Star Rebecca Lobo on Monday, via ESPN First Take.

“We know how much Caitlin drives ratings, we know how much Caitlin drives attention on the WNBA,” Lobo said. “For her to come back (from injury) and do it in that way was just ridiculous. I mean, I’m sitting there, at the end of the first quarter, when she had that 38-second stretch where she drained deep three after deep three after deep three, I was just sitting there thinking, I’ve been around this league since 1997, I have never seen that in a WNBA game. Have we seen players go on runs? Of course we have, but not like that.” 

Before this three-week absence, Clark had not missed a game since high school and had played in 185 consecutive games dating back to her freshman season at Iowa. Everyone was curious about how she would respond after the first extended absence of her career. Would she continue her form? Or would she need a few games to get back into a rhythm?

It turns out it was neither of the two, as she came out even better than she was earlier. And you know, Clark did something special on the night when a legend like Lobo raved about her performance. Especially that first half, she scored 25 out of the team’s 53 points. That 38-second stretch of consecutive three-pointers was special for two reasons. She covered 9 points for Fever when they were trailing in the first quarter within a blink. The second unique factor was the distance of those three-pointers. 

To truly appreciate Caitlin Clark’s unprecedented shooting range, consider this: all six of her three-pointers in the first half came from well beyond the WNBA’s 22-foot arc. As Fever play-by-play announcer Pat Boylan highlighted, Clark drained three shots from over 30 feet, measured at 34, 31, and 31 feet, and three more from beyond 27 feet, recorded at 28, 27, and 27 feet. Her six first-half threes rank as the third most ever made in a single half in WNBA history. That stat strongly supports Rebecca Lobo’s assessment that Clark’s display was something the league had quite literally never seen before.

Clark delivered an outstandingly efficient performance, converting 11 of her 20 shots from the field and sinking 7 of 14 attempts from beyond the arc. Her 32-point outing was not the result of high-volume shooting, but rather the product of sharp accuracy and smart decision-making. She consistently found quality looks despite tight defense, showcasing her composure and shot discipline. She showed that she can blow past any defense on her day.

Is Caitlin Clark a Genuine MVP Candidate For 2025?

Caitlin Clark entered her sophomore season as one of the early favorites for the MVP award, making an immediate statement with a triple-double on opening night. However, both her form and the Fever’s overall performance dipped slightly afterward. Despite scoring 27 points in a loss to the Dream, her impact seemed to wane during the rematch win, where she delivered a relatively quiet performance. 

The excitement around her MVP candidacy began to cool, especially after she was sidelined with a quad strain. For a young star carrying high expectations, the timing of the injury threatened to derail her momentum. Yet, Clark’s poise and resilience kept her name in the conversation even while she was off the court.

Few expected Clark to bounce back from that injury with such force. But after her recent breakout showing, she has reasserted herself as one of the league’s elite scorers, now averaging 21.6 points per game. She also leads the WNBA in assists with an impressive 9.2 per game. Even after missing five games, Clark has demonstrated that she can sustain this high level of play over the course of a season. Her court vision and ability to create opportunities for teammates remain unmatched. With each game, she is becoming more composed and efficient in her decision-making, a sign of true growth.

Her shooting efficiency has also improved this season, with a 43 percent field goal percentage and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc. These numbers reflect a more balanced offensive approach compared to her rookie season. While players like Napheesa Collier and three-time MVP A’ja Wilson are in top form, Clark has proven she can compete with anyone in the league. Her ability to shoot from deep range while orchestrating the offense gives her a rare edge. As defenses adjust, she continues to find new ways to impact games on both ends of the floor.

Crucially, the supporting cast around her has also improved. The Fever added valuable experience in the offseason, signing veterans DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard through free agency, and acquiring Sophie Cunningham via trade. Sydney Colson and Brianna Turner were also brought in to strengthen the rotation. This mix of veteran leadership and youthful energy has boosted the team’s depth. Having experienced players around her allows Clark to take smart risks and grow within a stronger team system. The chemistry is still building, but the foundation looks more promising than ever.

Though they struggled in Clark’s absence, the season is still young, and the roster is beginning to gel. After the game against the Liberty, Cunningham returned from injury, Kelsey Mitchell looked back to her best after a slow start, and Colson delivered a solid showing. The team’s performance is trending upward at the right time. If the Fever can maintain this level of play and continue building chemistry, they are positioned not only for a deep playoff run but possibly even a championship push. The blend of Clark’s stardom and a reinforced roster may prove to be the perfect formula.