Depth is what makes a basketball team a contender, and that's what the Indiana Fever might have shown on Wednesday when they played against the Portland Fire without their superstar, Caitlin Clark.
The two-time All-Star missed the game because of a back issue she suffered during the season opener against the Dallas Wings. White dismissed notions that the injury is a major setback.
"No, absolutely not. She's healthy. We're not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give time to heal so she'll be ready," the Fever coach said.
Clark's absence was hardly felt as someone stepped up big time for her. White tapped Ty Harris for point guard duties, and the veteran delivered. Harris, who joined the Fever this summer from the Wings, played 29 minutes and, although she did not score, was an effective floor general, dishing out seven assists. She also had two steals.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell combined for 45 points to lead the team to a dominant 90-73 victory.
The coach said before tipoff that they anticipated the Fire to do heavy press and so, she turned to an experienced point guard to counter it.
White said she got what she was looking for from Clark's reliever.
Fans on X are very receptive of Harris' performance. One even thought it is a "statement" game.
Another fan commented on how Harris complement's Clark's game.
"Ty Harris is a dream point guard for Stephanie White doing all apart frm scoring Unlike CC who is a scorer🤌The earlier ee accept this d better," user CCbabygoat wrote.
The victory over Fire is Fever's second straight. They are currently 3-2 in the standings, having lost to the Wings and the Washington Mystics.
