Candace Parker Issues Subtle Warning to WNBA About Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever’s Potential

The Indiana Fever’s 81-80 loss to the Dallas Wings on Tuesday night was one of their most challenging setbacks of the season, but despite the defeat, the team continues to show resilience. Without their star point guard Caitlin Clark, who has only played in 13 games this season due to a groin injury, the Fever have managed to remain competitive. Clark has been sidelined since before the All-Star break, missing the last 11 games, but the Fever have gone 6-5 during this stretch.

Despite the challenges, the Fever’s performance in Clark’s absence has shown promise, especially with players like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell stepping up. And while the team continues to fight for a strong playoff position, WNBA legend Candace Parker issued a subtle warning to the league about the potential of the Fever when Clark makes her return.

Candace Parker’s Insight on Caitlin Clark’s Return

On a recent episode of Parker’s “Post Moves” podcast, co-hosted with Fever’s Aliyah Boston, the two discussed the impact Clark could have once she returns. Parker, ever the insightful commentator, had high praise for the Fever’s potential with a full lineup, particularly when Clark is back to full health.

Parker stated, “When Caitlin gets back, it’s going to be scary from a backcourt standpoint. Because the two of them with the ball in their hands, without the ball, and as a post player, your eyes have to light up.” She continued, “If there’s that much attention from the backcourt, if you set screens, if you set early drags in transition… I mean the sky’s the limit for what y’all are able to accomplish.”

This comment from Parker illustrates the high expectations the Fever have when Clark re-enters the rotation. Her ability to draw attention and create opportunities for her teammates, particularly Mitchell and Boston, could take Indiana’s offense to new heights. The combination of Mitchell’s scoring ability, Boston’s strength in the post, and Clark’s playmaking could make the Fever a dangerous team in the final stretch of the season.

The Fever’s Current Standing and Clark’s Impact

Currently, the Fever are 18-15 overall, holding third place in the Eastern Conference with only 11 regular-season games remaining. Even without Clark, the team has been able to maintain a solid record, which speaks to the depth of talent on the roster. The Fever have managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with stellar performances from Mitchell and Boston, among others.

Clark, who was named an All-Star Game captain despite her injury, has been a dominant force when on the court. She’s averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. Her ability to impact the game in so many areas makes her one of the most valuable players in the league. Her vision, leadership, and ability to score make her a key asset for the Fever as they look to build momentum towards the postseason.

The Road to Recovery

While Clark has begun ramping up her conditioning, there is still no set timetable for her return to the court. Fever head coach Stephanie White provided an update on Clark’s progress, noting that she has been able to do more full-court running and is working on building endurance. However, White also mentioned that Clark has not yet returned to practice.

“She’s been able to get a little bit more of her full-court running with all of her body weight,” White explained. “It’s really building up from doing minimal to then building some endurance to do longer periods of time. She’s been able to do a little bit more on the court in terms of how she moves, but not into practice yet.”

As Clark continues to ramp up her activity, the Fever will likely take a cautious approach to ensure that she is fully ready before reintroducing her into the lineup. With just 11 games left in the regular season, the team will need Clark at her best for a potential playoff push.

The Future Looks Bright for the Fever

While the current state of the Fever without Clark may be a cause for concern for some, Candace Parker’s comments highlight the bright future ahead for the team. The combination of a healthy Clark, the emerging star power of Mitchell and Boston, and the leadership of coach White could make the Fever one of the most dangerous teams in the WNBA once they reach the postseason.

For now, the Fever remain focused on their final regular-season games and continue to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference. The potential return of Clark adds an extra layer of excitement to the team’s already promising future. If the Fever can integrate her back into the lineup seamlessly and continue to build on their success, they could become a serious contender in the playoffs.

As Parker aptly put it, “The sky’s the limit” for the Fever when Clark returns. Fans, teammates, and the entire league will be watching to see just how far this talented team can go with their star player back on the court.