The Las Vegas Aces lost their second game against the Indiana Fever in the 2025 season. This puts them below Stephanie White’s side in standings, even if they level on records at the end of the season. The loss was more hurtful when you have a healthy roster and the opponent is playing without their star playmaker.
Yes, Caitlin Clark’s absence was visible, but Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, and co. stepped up to the challenge and handed the former champions an 80-70 loss. Coach Becky Hammon, however, had visualized the possible plays without CC on the floor and spoke in the pregame interview.
Becky Hammon Dissects Plays With And Without Caitlin Clark
Indiana Fever guard’s impact on the plays is undeniable. The playmaker is an elite scorer with no limits to her shooting range. This alerts the opposition and tries to double-team her from the half-court.
The Aces’ coach praised the guard for her skills. Before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena, she answered a few questions from the media and highlighted the change in tactics with and without the 23-year-old guard on the floor.
“I think the ball movement and the aggression by the other players is substantially more (without Caitlin Clark). You know, obviously, (Kelsey) Mitchell, everybody just I think plays a little bit differently. Maybe plays more like a traditional team where they have a point guard, you know, Ari setting everybody up. I think Caitlyn demands a different kind of attention.
And so, when she’s not on the floor, you can shift your attention to some other things, but I do think they’re still very difficult to guard because of the movement, and the ball movement probably more than anything. Caitlyn tends to kill you in the first 8 to 12 seconds. So, you might have to defend a little bit longer. However, their ball gets side to side, they become very difficult,” Hammon told the interviewer. (Via YT/TheBallerMagazine).
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Fever coach Stephanie White strongly believes in sharing the ball and keeping possession intact. Conversely, CC makes quick moves, putting the game out of reach in minutes.
In the game on July 24, the Fever relied on their complete roster for playmaking. They had 17 assists, with Kelsey Mitchell contributing a maximum of four. The side scored seven fastbreak points. This is a complete contradiction to the Fever offense with the 2024 Rookie of the Year on the floor.
Caitlin Clark Inching Closer To Return
The player in discussion, CC, is out for 12 regular-season games and missed the Commissioner’s Cup Final and All-Star game, too. This is the longest period CC has been out of action, and the reports are suggesting that she could be back in the next few days.
The franchise managed 50% wins in her absence, and a fully healthy starting guard will be a welcome sign late in the second half. Sophie Cunningham and Coach White hinted at her return, though the actual date is not yet revealed.
In the presence of their superstar, the team’s offence reaches new highs. The team average score goes up of around 85 points, good enough to win games in the WNBA. But the postseason would be trickier with top teams and defenses looking to lock up the playmaker’s passes.
Also Read: Fever Coach Stephanie White Lauds Caitlin Clark’s Replacement In Win Over Aces