ESPN Analyst Diminishing Caitlin Clark’s Impact on Fever Gets Flamed on Social Media: “1st Team All-Haitlin”

Caitlin Clark has missed four straight games due to her groin injury as the Indiana Fever take time to allow full recovery.

ESPN Analyst Diminishing Caitlin Clark’s Impact on Fever Gets Flamed on Social Media: “1st Team All-Haitlin”

ESPN's Caroline Peck believes Fever are better without Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

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Caitlin Clark has come a long way from being the 4th best recruit in the class of 2020 to become the most famous name in women’s sports. At the same time, she has also set a lot of records in college as well as the WNBA as part of the Indiana Fever.

This season, she skipped playing in the upstart Unrivaled League to focus on rest and developing additional skills to complement her game. The results were instant at the start of the league season after she opened the year with a triple double.

Injuries first kept her out of 5 games. Upon returning, she again dazzled basketball fans during an epic win over the champion New York Liberty, that drew praise from the likes of LeBron James and many other personalities.

She again suffered an injury, this time her groin, and has been out for the past 4 games. The Fever lost the 1st one to the lowly Los Angeles Sparks, but has since then turned the tide, winning their next 3, including dominating wins over the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces. This led Caroline Peck to say this:

Look, I think that Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play because she’s a ball-dominant guard. The ball’s 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.

Caroline Peck said on SportsCenter

The former WNBA head coach and current ESPN analyst believes without Caitlin Clark in the starting lineup, her teammates have exploded. Moreover, they are playing more freely than when their starting point guard is on the floor.

Infuriated fans go after Caroline Peck for apparent Caitlin Clark-diss

Caroline Peck was trying to suggest that as opposing teams focus on Caitlin Clark, it slows the Indiana Fever, giving them time to process and take away shots. Without her in the lineup, they take decisions on their own and that confuses opponents, which have led to these stellar victories.

Basketball fans on the other hand were infuriated by her analysis. They believe she was speaking on the basis of these past 3 games, but conveniently forgot how the Fever’s offense has been when Clark is buzzing around on the floor.

They believe this was a take to intentionally put down the reigning Rookie of the Year. Had Peck double-checked the point guard’s performances since her rookie season, it is evident that the Fever step up a level with her guiding them. Check out examples of such reactions below.

Admittedly, the Indiana Fever looked free flowing in these past two games. Their defense has also gone up a notch as Aari McDonald is a pest. Considering Caitlin Clark struggles on the defensive end along with her recent shooting woes, such narratives as being thrown into the mix.

Caitlin Clark set to miss next game as well

Whatever Caroline Peck believes, Caitlin Clark will have to wait until she returns from her groin injury to prove her wrong. Now, it seems, the Indiana Fever is going to keep her glued to the bench for the next game as well.

Indiana Fever will need to play without Caitlin Clark for one more game
Indiana Fever will need to play without Caitlin Clark for one more game (Image via WNBA/X)

Underdog’s WNBA page confirmed that the star point guard would miss Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks. She has been practicing and takes part in shootarounds, but is not ready to play a full game.

Moreover, the timing makes sense for them. With their current form, the Fever could win against the Sparks. After that, they get 3 days rest before playing the Golden State Valkyries on June 9th. That way, they have additional time to get her to complete her recovery.

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