The Indiana Fever have been riding a rollercoaster in the 2025 WNBA season. They are currently sitting at a disappointing 9-9 record despite having talented players like Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard averaging 16.6 and 11.7 points per game respectively.
Their recent stumble has now resulted in a former WNBA head coach getting publicly trolled for her controversial comments about their superstar player.
Comments Regarding Caitlin Clark Got a Former WNBA HC Into Trouble
It all started when Caitlin Clark last played on June 24 against the Seattle Storm. In that game, Clark struggled and managed only six points, which was a noticeable dip from her season averages of 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and five rebounds per game.
Shortly after, she was sidelined with a left groin issue, which added to the challenges she had already faced this season. Clark had missed five earlier games due to a left quadriceps strain, making her availability a constant concern for the Fever.
During Clark’s absence from June 26 to July 3, something surprising happened as the Fever went 3-1, which included a key Commissioner’s Cup win against the Minnesota Lynx. The team looked more balanced on both ends of the floor, with Boston and Howard stepping up their production while Kelsey Mitchell took on more playmaking responsibilities.
This winning stretch prompted Carolyn Peck, former Purdue coach and WNBA veteran who led the Boilermakers to the 1999 NCAA title and coached the Orlando Miracle in 99 games, to claim that the Fever played better without Clark. Given her impressive resume, many fans and analysts initially gave her the benefit of the doubt.
“I think that Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play. Because she’s a ball-dominant guard. The ball is in her hands a lot, so you know what you need to try to take away. But when you look at Indiana now, they’ve got so many weapons,” Peck said on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
She even stated the key players who would help the team during Clark’s absence.
“When you have a point guard like Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald making plays on the perimeter, and a post like Aliyah Boston, I’m gonna tell you: Indiana, they are a threat. And it’s specifically on the defensive end,” added Peck.
Caroline Peck saying the @IndianaFever are more dangerous WITHOUT Caitlin Clark. (I’m keeping receipts now) pic.twitter.com/Tv7ZZgXRYa
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) July 4, 2025
But that analysis quickly crumbled.
Reality Check Hits Hard
On July 5, the Fever took on the Los Angeles Sparks and lost 89-87. The founder of “Barstool Sports,” Dave Portnoy, who is a Clark fan, wasted no time in calling out Peck’s previous hot take.
“Aging like spoiled milk,” wrote Portnoy on X as he reposted the video in which Peck commented about Clark.
Aging like spoiled milk https://t.co/ovRAqVGGUy
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 6, 2025
Despite strong efforts from Boston (23 points) and Howard (21 points), the team couldn’t seal the deal on July 5. They led by as much as eight points in the third quarter, but their defense faltered down the stretch. The Sparks outscored Indiana 25-19 in the final frame, exposing the very defensive issues that Peck claimed were strengths.
By halftime, the Fever were already trailing by three, and the final moments slipped through their fingers, resulting in their ninth loss of the season. Without Clark’s court vision and clutch playmaking, the team struggled to execute in crunch time, something that has become a recurring theme this season.
The loss highlighted exactly why Clark’s presence matters so much to this team. Her ability to create shots for teammates and control the pace of the game becomes even more apparent when she’s not on the floor. Mitchell and McDonald, while talented, don’t possess the same floor leadership that Clark brings to every possession.
The Fever now prepare to face the Golden State Valkyries on July 9, and fans are anxiously awaiting word on whether Clark will suit up. With their record hovering at .500 and playoff positioning on the line, every game matters for a team still trying to find its identity in a competitive Eastern Conference.