“I think Indiana was a good spot for me to start my professional career.” As an Iowa alum, Caitlin Clark confessed to Sue Bird how she had pre-decided on starting her professional journey with the Indiana Fever, irrespective of the team’s conditions at the time. And that didn’t matter anyway. After all, Clark revolutionized the team, and watched the ticket sales soar and the WNBA viewership hit a new high.

Besides, her dominant stance and flawless gameplay attracted eyeballs to the league. In fact, some of the finest players could not help but commend the reigning rookie on her spectacular performances. While the Clark Effect is still predominant this season, another W player came forward to join the elite list of Clark’s fans.

On the latest episode of the A Touch More podcast, Lauren Jackson joined Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe. When Megan asked Jackson, “Is there a player today that you look at and think like, “Oh, I wish I could play with her,” Lauren took a long, awkward pause before answering. “Um, I love Caitlin Clark. I’ve said that before, but I do love her,” Jackson said. The WNBA champion reflected long and hard before admitting her love for Clark.

But she soon directed the answer at co-host and veteran, Sue Bird. “But it was taken out of context. I’ve always said that Sue is the one that like you are the thing,” Jackson admitted. “You are the best point guard I’ve ever played with, but you are completely different players to her. and also too, she’s got a lot of development and growth to come. But I feel like you are the consummate professional. I think the way that you are able to bring a team together and make a team hum, yeah. Like, you’re the player that I actually got to play with and I would wish I could play with.”

Admitting her true intentions of playing with Bird once again, Jackson revealed how the Fever guard can improve and grow in the upcoming years. While still in her second season with the pros, Clark’s blueprint of a breakout season was marred by injuries. The athlete suffered a left quad sprain and made a significant 32-point comeback against the NY Liberty before being forced to the sidelines again. As she battled her two-directional groin injury, recent news unveiled that the athlete suffered from a mild bone bruise on August 07.

“So, I will say that I love watching her. I’m not sure I would have loved playing with her though,” Jackson clarified. “Like I’m not sure because I’d be like, “Pass me the ball. I’m open. Give me the ball. Bring it.” But I don’t know. I feel like she’d take a three instead of passing it to me and I’d be like, “No, mate. This isn’t going to work.” As a primary ball handler for the Indiana Fever, Jackson worried that Clark may not pass the ball to the legend in crunch moments and attempt a shot instead. With Clark still sidelined, can fans expect her return before the season ends? That remains to be seen.

Caitlin Clark suffers another adversity before the playoffs

The Indiana Fever were suffering from a rough night against the extremely physical team in the Connecticut Sun. Already down in the first quarter, the roster watched helplessly as Sophie Cunningham suffered at the behest of the opponents. She was assisted to the locker room in the early minutes of the second quarter.

But despite the setback, hardship joiner and Tulsa Shock veteran Odyssey Sims teamed up with Kelsey Mitchell. And the rest was history. The Fever roster overcame a 21-point deficit with outstanding efficiency from Mitchell and Sims. But as the guards took the reins in their hands in the face of adversity, another shocking news jolted the roster.

Already on the sidelines, tending to a right groin injury, fans hoped to watch Caitlin Clark return to the active roster. But unfortunately, Fever insider Scott Agness had some grave news for fans and reporters alike. He shared that the point guard suffered another injury. It was apparently a mild bone bruise on her left ankle during a workout session in Phoenix.

The incident occurred before Sydney Colson or Aari McDonald even stepped into the paint against the Mercury. With Clark, Cunningham, Colson, and McDonald on the bench, can the Indiana Fever rely on newcomers to lead the way? As HC Stephanie White shows the light, can Mitchell and Sims lead the roster to the playoffs? What do you think?