Heading into the May 22 matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, all eyes were on Caitlin Clark’s health. Just days earlier she missed Indiana’s game because of severe back stiffness, a situation that even led to the WNBA issuing a warning to the Fever over injury reporting. So as she was stepping up to play against the Valkyries, they knew that Clark was not at 100%. It won’t be wrong to say that they came into that matchup with a highly aggressive defensive blueprint specifically designed to physically wear Clark down. 

In fact, they managed to get five fouls out of her along with a technical foul and even a flagrant foul. Clark also got caught up in a heated physical scuffle and verbal exchange with Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün, which earned her the technical. She even had an intense trash-talking moment with Tiffany Hayes. And yet somehow. Clark still managed to walk away with 22 points and nine assists while helping Indiana secure a gritty 90-82 win. And this is why Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase knows her team still has a massive challenge ahead in the rematch.

Speaking in an interview video shared on the Valkyries United YouTube channel during practice, Valkyries HC Natalie Nakase made sure to acknowledge it. When asked what her team intended to do differently against Clark this time around, she laid it out plainly. “She does a heavy load pretty much on the offense,” Nakase said. “So again, you just want to put a lot of different bodies on her. Because she can shoot from like half-court, like, you got to make sure we’re aware. So just more awareness for us.”

Honestly, that might be the biggest compliment a coach can give Clark right now. The fact that defenses feel they have to start panicking the second she crosses half-court says everything about the pressure she puts on her opponents. In fact, her performance against the Valkyries, despite all the chaos and issues, was commendable. 

The 33-foot logo three-pointer she drilled in the third quarter to tie the game at 48 was one of those shots that instantly reminded everyone why Clark remains one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in basketball. And heading to the rematch, the scary part for Golden State is that Clark says she is not particularly worried about the back issue itself.

The fever guard acknowledged that the soreness is something she has become more aware of over the last year, but she does not believe it is serious as such. 

“I don’t think (the back issues) ‌necessarily started at a certain point. I think it’s just been over the course of the last year when ​I’ve kind of been understanding my body ​more,” Clark said. “But before that, I was always ⁠like, I’m fine, I’m fine, I can go ​play, go play, go play. And maybe sometimes I’m too ​hyperaware about certain things. But I don’t think it’s anything of concern, no.” Now the rematch carries even more intrigue.

Because this leaves you wondering just how much more intensity coach Nakase and the Valkyries are preparing to bring into this rematch in an attempt to slow her down this time around. And of course, bringing all of that bad blood and raw emotion from their first encounter into this rematch, it genuinely feels like there are grudges waiting to be settled. And honestly, every indication points toward another extremely physical and intense encounter between these two teams.

As Nakase explained, the Valkyries are making sure they are “as disruptive as possible.” In fact, according to her, they were not able to fully execute their game plan the first time around. This time, however, they appear determined to take that disruption to another level.

Will the Valkyries finally slow Clark, or will she lead the Fever to another win?

Caitlin Clark Climbs to Second on WNBA Three-Point Leaderboard So Far

Apart from the outrageous logo bomb Caitlin Clark sank against the Valkyries, she finished the game with a total of four made three-pointers. At the moment, she currently sits second behind Kelsey Plum on the WNBA leaderboard for three-pointers made per game this season. Specifically, she is averaging 3.3 made threes per game, second only to Plum’s 3.4.

However, when you look at the numbers independently, Caitlin Clark actually leads the entire WNBA in total three-pointers made this season. Specifically, she has knocked down 22 total three-pointers so far. Plum, on the other hand, has amassed 20.

Clark, however, currently holds a 34.8% three-point completion rate. She has attempted 46 three-pointers in total, the second-highest mark in the league. And while 34.8% may appear a little lower than average, especially when compared to elite shooters like Kelsey Plum, who is shooting 48.8%, it still looks quite productive considering the kind of defensive attention Clark constantly faces. As seen against the Valkyries in their last meeting, she continuously deals with double-teams, full-court traps, and extremely physical defensive schemes designed specifically to wear her down.

Regardless, knocking down threes already feels almost like a constant for Clark heading into Friday’s rematch. Coach Natalie Nakase and the Valkyries can only try to limit the damage this time around.