Caitlin Clark responds to critics as Fever turn season around (PO)

Caitlin Clark is being patient as the Fever figure out their chemistry.

After a 88-81 win over the Mystics at home, the Fever own a three-game win streak.

Clark, who finished with 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, shut down negative narratives about her team and explained how the Fever plan to build off of their momentum.

She’s averaging 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists during this win streak, and 17.6 points spanning her last five games.

“I think everybody just loves instant satisfaction in our world,” said Clark, who also recorded six assists and four steals. “No one came in here and said we were going to be WNBA Champions from day 1 in our locker room. That was never our goal. Our goal was to get back to the playoffs and we’re fighting for that every single night.

Caitlin Clark talks about the Fever’s growth and high expectations from critics after the Fever beat the Mystics to win three straight games on June 19, 2024.YouTube/Fever

“This is the first time we’ve won four home games in a row since 2015. You have to have perspective on things, and that goes for life too. Like, have perspective on life. And there just needs to be solid perspective on what this team can accomplish. And I think everybody in our locker room had that.

“Nobody ever hung our heads. We had the hardest schedule to start. We didn’t get to practice much and we’re playing with the most inexperienced team in the WNBA. So, I mean, I think this group is starting to click and build some chemistry and it’s one day at a time.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.Getty Images
“But like I said, everybody loves instant satisfaction. But, sure, we would have probably loved that too. But I think we all kept a good perspective on knowing we need to get better one step at a time and thats what we’re going to continue to do even though we’ve won three in a row at home here.”

Fever head coach Christie Sides echoed a similar sentiment, and she emphasized that it’s taken Indiana some time to build chemistry with a young roster and a tough schedule to start the season.

The Fever — 5-2 in their last seven games — are starting to gel as team and discover their identity, especially on the offensive end, after an 0-5 start to the season.

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell finished with 22 points.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket against Ariel Atkins #7 and Emily Engstler #21 of the Washington Mystics during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.Getty Images
The connection between Clark and Aliyah Boston, the Fever’s No. 1 overall pick in 2023, was on display against Washington at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

Boston tallied 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting, to go along with eight rebounds.

“I think Caitlin does a great job of finding me and also understanding when she can get her shot out of the pick and roll as well,” Boston said. I think that’s something we’ve just continued to build over games and practice and just get a feel for each other … I think a big part of that is Caitlin with the ball in her hands, she talks to me a lot.”

Clark and the Fever (6-10) will vie for a fourth straight win on the road against the Atlanta Dream (6-7) on Friday.

Indiana is currently in eighth place in the WNBA, which would earn them the final playoff spot after going 13-27 last season.