Caitlin Clark has been on a tear for the reason that Olympic break, averaging 24.3 factors per recreation on 43.6% taking pictures together with a league-best 8.9 assists. Her play has been an enormous a part of why the Fever have climbed to the #6 seed, and has put in place to obtain MVP votes.
Forward of the Indiana Fever’s last common season recreation, Clark was requested about what it’s wish to know that media members who cowl the WNBA consider that she’s one of many prime 5 candidates for the MVP award (members submit 5 picks for MVP, so as from #1 to #5. A’ja Wilson is taken into account the heavy favourite for the award, however Clark has appeared on quite a few shared ballots for First Staff All-WNBA, together with ESPN’s and The Athletic’s.
“It’s undoubtedly cool, particularly the place I began the yr after which was capable of type of determine it out as we go,” Clark advised reporters, per Chloe Peterson of Indy Star Sports activities. “And now, getting into Sport 40, it feels night time and day from the place I began. I’m happy with myself in that regard. I’ve realized so much, and I’ve needed to study with out actually a lot time to follow or have an offseason to implement issues that I need to implement, and having to study a brand new scheme and new teammates and new coaches.”
Caitlin Clark on being in MVP conversations this yr:
“It’s undoubtedly cool … getting into recreation 40, it’s night time and day from the place I began, and I’m happy with myself in that regard.” pic.twitter.com/b4iGVOsUHm
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) September 19, 2024
The Fever have been the league’s third-best staff for the reason that Olympic break, accruing a 9-4 file. Clark credit her potential to play her recreation and the staff’s growing familiarity for the midseason turnaround.
“As soon as we type of discovered our groove, my teammates have allowed me to be myself, and that’s what’s type of introduced up some success,” she stated.
There’s been an infinite quantity of discourse round Caitlin Clark’s reputation, the Rookie of the Yr race, and the MVP dialog — however Clark stated she’s managed to maintain her give attention to the sport itself.
“One of many largest issues for myself is I’ve tried to maintain basketball the principle factor, and simply to get pleasure from it and play enjoyable and play and have enjoyable, play free,” Clark stated. “That’s after I’m actually at my finest. However on the similar time, you don’t get caught up in all of that. That type of simply comes with the way you carry out on the ground. So, it’s undoubtedly a cool honor folks which were within the basketball world of the WNBA area for a very very long time to consider you in that manner. However on the similar time, I really feel like there may be simply a lot room for me to enhance.”
The Fever started the season with a 1-8 file, however Clark stated they by no means misplaced religion that they may flip issues round.
“Our power, it by no means was flat,” Clark stated. “We got here in and we bought higher and we knew that the tide was going to show for us, and it definitely did.”
No matter what occurs within the first spherical of the playoffs, this season will largely be thought-about a hit for the Fever, who went from the #10 seed in 2023 to the #6 seed in 2024. Clark has exceeded expectations, Aliyah Boston has made strides throughout the board, and Kelsey Mitchell is having a profession yr. The Fever will face both the Connecticut Solar or Indiana Fever within the first spherical, in a best-of-three sequence that can start Sunday.
“Clearly we have now huge objectives within the playoffs,” Clark stated. “I nonetheless really feel like there’s much more for us that we are able to can obtain, and nonetheless exceed some expectations that individuals have for us.”
