While Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson’s reunion has sparked debate about its potential effects on the locker room chemistry, this ESPN insider has pointed out how Raven’s arrival solves a bigger issue for the Fever franchise.

As the Indiana Fever drafted Raven Johnson with the 10th pick in the recent WNBA Draft, everyone remembered what transpired the last few times Raven shared the court with Caitlin Clark, while the two played college basketball. However, Sarah Tiana likes the route Indiana took, picking Raven Johnson on draft night.

On the ESPN show, Women’s Sports Now, Sarah said, “I know there’s a lot of history between her (Raven) and Caitlin Clark, but I think what she brings defensively to that team was such a big hole, and she’s filling that hole. I’m really excited to see what she does there.”

Raven suffered immensely because of the 2023 incident in a Final Four game, as Caitlin Clark, guarding the South Carolina star, waved her off, leaving her completely unguarded at the three-point line. Many saw it as a taunt to Raven and her poor perimeter shooting, especially as she chose to pass instead of taking the open shot.

She took revenge the following year in the Championship game, almost guarding Caitlin Clark out of the game, leading the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. But the viral 2023 clip made the headlines and even forced Raven to contemplate quitting the sport.

Years have passed, and the 23-year-old has pushed herself to greater performances, ending her college basketball career after earning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2025-26 season. And while her offensive numbers aren’t as impressive as those of other players on the draft board around her, the 23-year-old’s defensive acumen is exactly why the Indiana Fever selected her.

The Fever have been looking for added defensive coverage and have suffered greatly, with players like Caitlin Clark having to do much out-of-possession work that restricts her offensive freedom. Raven’s arrival will solve that issue, allowing Clark to go gung-ho on offense, as she did in her college basketball days at Iowa.

And while this can unleash Caitlin Clark, head coach Stephanie White is aware that their franchise star is coming off a long-term injury and will be managing her accordingly.

Indiana Fever to Remain Cautious with Caitlin Clark’s Training Plan

While Caitlin Clark showed her current fitness levels blazing through the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers for the USWNT squad in Puerto Rico, the recovery process leading up to her March return was gruesome.

The 24-year-old missed a good chunk of last season because of her groin injury and later a bone bruise, and while the Fever made a deep run in the WNBA playoffs, a fit and available Caitlin Clark could have improved Indiana’s chances when they fell to the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.

Head coach Stephanie White knows the importance of having Clark available and has already admitted that she intends to pay special attention to the 24-year-old’s training camp workout plan.

White said, “I don’t want to say ease her into it, because she’s ready for camp, but we want to make sure that we manage the reps, and what kinds of reps she’s getting, just to build her up so that she’s ready to go, and we don’t have any kind of questions about that.”

With the addition of Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire to the WNBA, it will only increase fixture congestion, making it more imperative to manage fitness levels. A good start will be crucial for the Fever as they hope to generate early momentum in their bid to challenge for the WNBA Championship.

In such a scenario, keeping Caitlin Clark fit for the start of the season will be paramount, especially with the Fever playing eight games in May itself.