Along with Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, Indiana Fever freshman sensation Caitlin Clark has drawn millions of eyes in the WNBA. However, those millions of views came from millions of critics, even as the Fever made a late-season push for the playoffs. Sunday’s 93-100 win over the hapless Dallas Wings lifted the Fever above .500 for the first time in five years in sole possession of sixth place. Caitlin Clark’s record breaking season also prompted Shannon Sharpe to speak out against her detractors. In a recent episode of his podcast Nightcap with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, the legendary tight end commented on the number of non-basketball plays or flagrant fouls committed against Clark this year. “It kicks your ass,” Shannon Sharpe said of Caitlin Clark’s performance. “[She] does the right thing with them… She’s sharp on both sides, she cuts left and right… Don’t blame her. – Kiss her. » For the first time since 2019, the Indiana Fever went over .500. Five years ago, the team started the season 4-3, but finished the season 13-21, a record the team already surpassed a few weeks ago. Perhaps most impressive is that he started the 2024 season with a record of 1-8. Fevers continue their post-Olympic streak, showing that maybe Team USA should have picked Caitlin Clark instead of giving her a few weeks to catch her breath and get back on her feet.
In the seven games since the WNBA resumed, the Fever are 6-1. They have also won games against teams that have already secured playoff spots. Come Thursday, however, only three playoff spots are still up for grabs, so expect the Fever to make one last push to consolidate their sixth-place finish. After breaking WNBA records left and right, Clark’s biggest accomplishment this season might be pushing the Fever into the playoffs as a freshman.