WNBA Double Standards Trapped Again as Caitlin Clark’s Teammate Avoids 5th Straight Fever Reality, Per Analyst

The Indiana Fever has been fighting an uphill battle this year. Although Stephanie White’s team is on the verge of reaching the playoffs, it has been a season of struggle and perseverance for them. They were supposed to be genuine championship contenders and get a deep playoff run in. Now? Caitlin Clark’s out, they’re clinging to the sixth seed, and have an entirely new backcourt. However, the challenges just don’t seem to end.

Stephanie White’s team is struggling with a league-wide issue — poor officiating. The referees are running amok, and according to the Indiana Fever HC, are making biased decisions in game. “There’s a double standard there,” White said a couple weeks ago. “If it’s going to be physical, and you’re going to allow us to be physical, then allow both teams to be physical. If you’re going to call the holds, and you’re going to call the chucks, then call it both ways.” But still, there hasn’t been any improvement.

We saw the bias as clear as day during the Lexie Hull-Kayla McBridge incident a few days ago. The Minnesota Lynx guard, after getting the rebound, felt a reach from behind her and in trying to make space, elbowed Lexie Hull in the face. Obviously, an elbow to the face warrants a flagrant, right? Well, not according to the WNBA refs.

Analyst Rachel DeMita talked about the entire incident on the latest episode of Courtside Club. “The wild thing about all of this, you guys, is that they didn’t call it a flagrant. They called it a technical, and they still called the foul on Lexie Hull.” She explained, before getting into the official justification behind it.  “And their reasoning for not calling it a flagrant is because it happened after the whistle. So basically, you’re allowed to hit somebody, elbow somebody just because it’s after the whistle.”

DeMita called the play “dangerous” and talked about how it obviously didn’t make sense. However, the host of the Courtside Club also brought an interesting consideration to mind. “And if you look how she fell too, I’m so glad that nothing happened to her left leg. Because the way that she fell also looked really painful.” Lexie Hull landed with her left knee completely bent, with a lot of pressure on her joint and muscles. A position in which it’s very, very, easy to get injured.

And to be honest? The last thing that Indiana needs is another injury. Caitlin Clark, Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, and Sophie Cunningham have been missing games left, right, and center because of their injuries, and 3 out of the 4 athletes mentioned are out for the season. Adding another long-term injury to their roster would set the team up for more struggles than it already has.

But credit where credit is due, the Indiana Fever has shown some real resilience during their troubled times. Every player, old or new, is trying their very best to step up and take some responsibility. The biggest standout for the last few games has definitely been Odyssey Sims, who had a successful LA homecoming last night.

Caitlin Clark’s new teammate Odyssey Sims hits game-winner to seal the win against LA

For a journeyman like Odyssey Sims, coming back to your former team had to be a great ordeal. The five-foot-eight Indiana Fever vet has bounced from team to team during her twelve-year WNBA career, and honestly? It’s always satisfying to beat your last squad. Sims was with the Los Angeles Sparks for about a year and a half before getting waived in early July 2025.

After signing with the Fever, we all knew this day would come, and we had all hoped that Sims would get her dream getback at LA… Which she did! Odyssey Sims, alongside Aliyah Boston, was a major reason that Indiana won this game against the Sparks. The fast guard dropped 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while tearing off for a five-point run within the last minute of the game.

And when she threw up that 10-foot floater with a few seconds left on the shot clock, we knew it was meant to be! But here’s the kicker: Odyssey Sims wasn’t exactly doing well before her game-defining run, which she kicked off with a three-pointer. “I didn’t shoot the ball well from the three, and it was over before I made that shot. I mean, I didn’t lose confidence.” She said in the post-game presser, letting fans into her mental state during the game.

Moreover, the five-foot-eight guard credited her teammates and Aliyah Boston for believing in her even through her misses. “I think my teammates did a great job with the coaches just constantly talking to me. They weren’t worried about my missed shots… It was one of those do or dies, it went in, and I’m excited about that.”

Everyone on the Fever has been stepping up as we get closer to the playoffs. Even without Caitlin Clark on board, it’s obvious that the team is aiming for a championship run. Will they be able to get it? Or will injuries and bad luck get the best of them? Only time will tell.