The Indiana Fever failed to make it past the second round of the WNBA playoffs for the third straight year. After reaching the semifinals last year, they fell to the Las Vegas Aces in the first round in three games this postseason.
In Game 3 of the series on Thursday, Caitlin Clark recorded 18 points, two rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocks. Unfortunately, her efforts were not enough to counter A’ja Wilson, who had 36 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the Aces as she led them to a 94-83 win.
Despite Indiana’s postseason failures during Clark’s time, there’s no denying that she has been impactful for the team both on and off the court.
Ever since Clark arrived as the Fever’s No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, she has brought a new legion of fans to the pros. TV viewership, stadium attendance records and merchandise sales have all gone up, with Clark and Indiana at the center of that explosive growth.
While it has certainly been disappointing that Clark and the Fever haven’t had much success on the court, Indiana general manager Amber Cox made sure to highlight how Clark has helped the team and the league.
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“What she has meant to our team, what she has meant to the league and what she’s meant to women’s basketball. She remains the tipping point,” Cox said of Clark on Saturday. “You look at the ratings and you look at the full buildings, you know that started in 2024 when she came into the league. And that’s because of Caitlin Clark.”
Cox added, “That does not take anything away from anybody who’s come before her or still playing or has worked in the league. … The build was slow, and then Caitlin Clark arrived and the floodgates opened.”
Cox proceeded to say that Clark deserves to get her flowers, especially since it was because of her that more people have “fallen in love” with the WNBA and its players.
“Obviously, the WNBA is incredibly fortunate. Everybody has benefited thanks to her, and so we all need to say thank you more often,” Cox added.
