Caitlin Clark sat out her 10th game of the season when the LA Sparks visited Gainbridge Arena for a regular-season game. Kelsey Plum led her side to an 89-87 victory, which might have been decided differently if the Fever’s top assist maker was on the floor. Her absence is now a big discussion topic in the league, with the Fever team’s performance during that phase.
Stephanie White’s team has performed well in recent games without their star guard. A few voices once again started using this as a tool to target Fever’s prized asset. ESPN analyst said that the side is better without CC, which attracted criticism from Caitlin’s fans, including Dave Portnoy.
Caitlin Clark Receives Backing From Dave Portnoy
Yes, the 2024 Rookie of the Year has been out of action for a long period, and fans are awaiting her return. But the Fever team is doing just ‘fine’ with five wins in 10 games played without their playmaker. More importantly, the games won against stronger sides were statement wins highlighting the team’s depth and character. Analyzing this, Carolyn Peck suggested that Fever might be a more effective team without Caitlin Clark.
The ESPN analyst mentioned that the 23-year-old guard is a ball-dominant player. It gives opponents a clear defensive strategy – stop Caitlin to disrupt the Fever’s offense. But with the 2024 first pick out of the rotation, the team uses all their arsenal to attack the opposition, making it difficult to guard them. Her opinion was clearly fact-based and explained the game plan Stephanie White used without CC.
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, was not happy with the idea. In the post shared on X(formerly Twitter), he wrote ‘Ageing like spoiled milk’, taking shots at the 1999 NCAA champion.
Aging like spoiled milk https://t.co/ovRAqVGGUy
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 6, 2025
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In the 2024 season, the Indiana franchise was struggling with early losses. But their top pick powered them to a playoff spot. Though the inexperienced team lost in the first round, it gave a glimpse of the possible future of the franchise with Caitlin’s as its centerpiece. The 2025 moves were also around the Iowa star. It was an effort to help her deliver more effective and efficient performances and win a title. As for fans and franchisees, she is more important in the long run than a few wins and losses.
Dave Portnoy Always Trusts Caitlin Clark
Dave Portnoy’s support for Caitlin Clark is not new. From her rookie season, the high-profile businessman has been following her and has shown faith in her abilities. He even stood up for the former Iowa star when critics targeted the 2024 WNBA draft inductee in her early games in the league. He was one of the few celebrities who attended CC’s games.
The trust took the next level when Portnoy started betting on Indiana Fever games. His bets were on Clark’s performances. A few of them were on CC scoring 20+ points, the number of three-pointers in the game, and the number of assists. Interestingly, Portnoy won $350,000 after betting $25,000 on Clark, achieving a triple-double against the Chicago Sky. While the Fever guard is currently out, the 48-year-old business tycoon is once again showing his trust in her to do well on her return.
Also Read: Caitlin Clark Receives Major Endorsement From $30 Billion Sponsor Brand Ahead Of WNBA All-Star Game