The Indiana Fever’s year has been anything but routine. With injuries piling up, roster moves that caught fans off guard, and Caitlin Clark at the center of nonstop attention, every game in Indianapolis feels like a chapter in a wild story. But as much as the city sees Clark hitting step-back threes and pushing her teammates with her will to win, what’s she actually like when the jersey comes off and it’s just her and the locker room?
According to Aerial Powers, fans only get half the picture– they miss the lighter, goofier side of Clark that shows up away from the cameras.
Why Is Caitlin Clark So Different Off the Court?
Clark goes full throttle when she’s competing, and anyone watching knows how fired up she can get. She isn’t afraid of mixing it up with opponents and gets labeled as one of the most passionate players in the league. But Powers says that edge fades when Clark walks away from the action.
Talking before the Fever’s close 76-75 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, Powers described Clark as welcoming, upbeat, and always finding ways to make the group laugh, especially since she joined a team hit so hard by injuries.
“She’s a sweetheart,” Powers said. “She’s so silly. I love her personality. She’s such a great light to be around; she’s always making us laugh.”
This is beautiful
Caitlin Clark really gets it
Listen to how she inspires, motivates, and loves on her team in this touching clip
You love to see it ❤️
pic.twitter.com/a5mVuE8m7l
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) September 1, 2025
Powers added that Clark is “doing the best she can to get back” after her groin injury sidelined her since mid-July. The Fever haven’t set an official return date, but everyone in the locker room is pulling for their star to return before the playoff push.
How Does the Indiana Fever Handle So Many Injuries?
Injuries have crushed the Fever’s depth this season, keeping guards Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, and Sophie Cunningham out for the year. That forced the team to hunt for replacements, which led to Powers signing in August and instantly giving the group a lift. In her first four games, the 31-year-old has put together 8.3 points, six rebounds, and nearly two assists per contest, making the most of her limited minutes.
Powers didn’t hold back against her former squad, the Golden State Valkyries, delivering 17 points with efficient shooting after being let go just months earlier. She stepped up– no question about it– to prove she can shine when the lights are brightest.
Still, Powers admitted it’s tough to celebrate when her shot at playing comes from someone else getting hurt. “It’s weird being in this position, getting this opportunity when someone got hurt because I never want to see a player injured,” she said. “And Sophie’s my friend, so I hate to see her get injured.”
Powers said she’s also noticed how much Clark’s presence has shaken up the vibe around the franchise. On social media, she confessed she didn’t realize the magnitude of Clark’s impact on the Fever until she played in front of “home” crowds every night.
“Every game really is a home game! The energy was crazy, Fever fans, keep bringing it!” Powers posted.
Clark changed Indy from a team fighting to be relevant into a league-wide draw. Sellout crowds, national TV coverage, and soaring merchandise sales have followed her arrival, making powers notice the unique pull Clark brings to the group.
While the injuries haven’t stopped, Powers praised the Fever for holding it together and building a culture focused on Clark’s leadership. “It kind of talks to how well this organization is run and also how determined my teammates are. ‘We all we got, we all we need,’ that’s what the girls are saying … that’s what I walked into them saying, and I can feel it.”
The Fever are still chasing a playoff spot with the regular season winding down. Whether Clark suits up again soon or not, Powers’ energy and voice keep the team focused. For now, it’s clear the locker room is feeding off Clark’s spirit– and Indy’s fans hope it’s enough to keep the story alive.
