Fever Star Reveals Caitlin Clark Locker Room Secret Which Kept Team Going During Her Absence

In a season that promised the Indiana Fever big things and maybe even a championship run, injuries played spoilsport. Caitlin Clark dealt with them all season long before eventually succumbing to a groin problem. Aari McDonald (broken right foot), Sydney Colson (left ACL tear) and Sophie Cunningham (right MCL tear) have also seen their seasons come to an end. And while things are undoubtedly only going to get tougher considering the business end of the season is here and the Fever are set to be at best the No. 6 seed, Clark has been doing the next best thing to playing.

As they await their opponents for the first round, Aliyah Boston has given the fans a glimpse of how, despite her absence from the court, Caitlin Clark helped them cope and continue to fight.  It is no secret that Caitlin Clark is the leader of this team on the court. The two-time All-Star was averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5 rebounds per game before her season came to an end. She is the primary scorer and playmaker, and the Fever are a lesser team without her.

However, even during absence, Boston has revealed exactly how the Fever superstar does not shy away from playing a major part in the dressing room. In the latest episode of Post Moves With Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston, she shed some light on how Caitlin helped the team keep going. She said, “I mean that’s our girl. You know that’s our girl and I feel like no matter what happened, you have to protect you and you have to protect your career. There’s no reason to force anything. And I feel like her just kind of having that approach of doing what’s best for her is all we can ask for because we’d rather her heal and sit out and then come back next season and we’re ready to roll and we’re ready to rock.”

That is understandable. The last things fans and teammates will want is another blow during CC’s rehabilitation. However, the 23-year-old is clearly too passionate about the game.

“And so, we’ve just been supporting her and she’s been supporting us. She’s always there. We’re getting to watch film and she’s in there walking through saying, ‘Heyyy.’ And we’re like, ‘Get out. Get out. Go do what you need to do.’ But she’s still the same.”

Throughout the season, Caitlin Clark has been a constant presence on the bench. Whether it is a home game or an away game, except for one game that she missed due to a family emergency, she has travelled with the team. Being a superstar of the league, she doesn’t have to do that. Yet, CC leaves no chance of having her teammates’ backs. Be it yelling at refs or even coaching from the sidelines. Now, with the Indiana Fever set to begin its playoff journey with a much different roster than what it started the season with, Caitlin Clark’s support from the sidelines will be even more important.

And well, the way Boston explained things, she is bound to be there as well.

Indiana Fever sign Shey Peddy to a rest-of-season contract

After so much turnover at the guard position, it seems that the Indiana Fever may have just finalised its roster for the playoffs. And not a moment too soon, as before the team announced its decision, they were already done with the regular season and waiting to see who they would face in the first round. To cover Caitlin Clark’s big shoes at the guard position, the Indiana Fever has decided to convert Shey Peddy’s recent seven-day hardship contract to a rest-of-season contract.

Prior to being signed on a rest-of-season contract, Shey Peddy had signed three consecutive hardship contracts with the Indiana Fever. And now, considering her playoff experience and the obvious hardships in the form of the list of injuries, the Indiana Fever have chosen her as the backup for Odyssey Sims (who was also a rest-of-season contract player after multiple hardship contracts). This contract can also be considered a reward for her performance in the all-important win against the Washington Mystics (13 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting night), which clinched the Indiana Fever’s spot in the playoffs.

While it is very, very difficult to replace Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever seems to be banking on experience to cover for her loss. At the same time, CC is not the only loss as well. Forward Chloe Bibby is out after suffering a knee injury, while guard Sophie Cunningham has also been ruled out. Veteran guard Sydney Colson tore her left ACL and will miss the rest of the campaign, and Aari McDonald has similarly been shut down for the season. The string of absences has left the Fever shorthanded as they look to finish the season strong despite the setbacks.

Shey Peddy has 14 playoff appearances to her name and has decent numbers for someone who has played mainly from the bench. Will that be enough to spring a surprise this post-season?