The Indiana Fever seemed destined to take over the league as a whole. When they got the first overall pick in the Caitlin Clark sweepstakes, the outlook of the franchise went through a radical turn.
Immediately making the playoffs, it looked like they would unidirectionally only be going up. However, that hasn’t fully materialized, and a lack of production from their alleged superstar has been a huge part of the problem. Now, as reports about a potential ailment make the rounds, are the unimpressive numbers the norm, or an injury outlier?
A Possible Reason for the Caitlin Clark Production Dip
A legitimate phenom at the college level, Clark came into the league with extremely high expectations. A spectacular rookie season, where she led the league in assists and was an All-Star, immediately proved some of those credentials to be true.
However, a groin injury in her second year kept her out for most of the season, as she finished with just 13 games played. Despite her absence, the Fever were able to go on a run and push the eventual champions, the Las Vegas Aces, to the brink.
As a result, with her return seeming imminent, Indiana felt like a true forced to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, that situation hasn’t come to pass. Instead, they stand as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 5-5 record.
Clark, on an individual level, hasn’t produced up to her usual standards. Averaging 18.7 points and 8.2 assists, she is coughing up 4.2 turnovers per game as well. However, a bigger concern with the sharpshooter has been the efficiency.
At 37.7% from the field and 32.4% from 3-point range, Clark hasn’t found her rhythm. As a result, rumors of a potential trade are also starting to make the rounds, something that seemed unfathomable a short while ago.
However, as her production continues to wane in the light of a 10-point, 4-for-14 shooting night against the New York Liberty, Fever reporter Scott Agness believed that the production was an indication of health concerns for the former Rookie of the Year.
“Two tough hits on Clark the last few possessions — first to the stomach, then one across the face. Both resulted in NY turnovers. She’s hanging in there, and probably not yet over the sickness she described after last game.”
The sickness concerns began after her game against the Atlanta Dream when she could be seen throwing up in a trash can. At the time, CC made light of the situation, despite her history of dealing with migraines.
But as the problem continues to persist, and after the latest comments from Agness, it could cause worry among the Fever fan base.
