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 a giant 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 ultimate common season recreation, Clark was requested about what it’s prefer 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 considered the heavy favorite for the award, however Clark has appeared on quite a few shared ballots for First Crew All-WNBA, together with ESPN’s and The Athletic’s.
“It’s positively cool, particularly the place I began the 12 months after which was capable of form of determine it out as we go,” Clark advised reporters, per Chloe Peterson of Indy Star Sports. “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 discovered so much, and I’ve needed to study with out actually a lot time to apply or have an offseason to implement issues that I wish to implement, and having to study a brand new scheme and new teammates and new coaches.”
Caitlin Clark on being in MVP conversations this 12 months:
“It’s positively 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 workforce for the reason that Olympic break, accruing a 9-4 document. Clark credit her capability to play her recreation and the workforce’s growing familiarity for the midseason turnaround.
“As soon as we form of discovered our groove, my teammates have allowed me to be myself, and that’s what’s form of introduced up some success,” she stated.
There’s been an unlimited 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 deal with 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 form of simply comes with the way you carry out on the ground. So, it’s positively a cool honor folks which have been within the basketball world of the WNBA house for a extremely very long time to consider you in that approach. 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 document, however Clark stated they by no means misplaced religion that they may flip issues round.
“Our vitality, it by no means was flat,” Clark stated. “We got here in and we obtained higher and we knew that the tide was going to show for us, and it actually did.”
No matter what occurs within the first spherical of the playoffs, this season will largely be thought of successful 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 12 months. The Fever will face both the Connecticut Solar or Indiana Fever within the first spherical, in a best-of-three collection that can start Sunday.
“Clearly now we have huge targets 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.”
