The Indiana Fever did just fine in their first game without Caitlin Clark this season.
And they’re likely to have their All-Star back on the floor when they face the Golden State Valkyries on Friday night in Indianapolis.
Clark, who played in just 13 games last season because of multiple injuries, was a late scratch because of back soreness before Indiana’s 90-73 home victory against the Portland Fire on Wednesday. She’s listed as probable for Friday.
In Clark’s absence, Aliyah Boston returned from a one-game absence (lower-leg injury) to lead the Fever (3-2) with 24 points and eight rebounds.
“She takes control of the offense when we need her to,” coach Stephanie White said of Boston.
Clark’s return would lessen the burden on Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, who had 21 points against Portland. The victory gave the Fever consecutive wins for the first time in the young season, and they’ll try to win their third straight home game Friday.
“We’re really stating to build continuity on both ends of the floor,” White said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. I think we’re progressing, and I’m pleased with our progression.”
Golden State (3-1), meanwhile, had eight days to recover from its first loss of the season May 13 and bounced back strong in an 87-70 victory against the Liberty on Thursday night in New York.
“We were aware that eight days (off) is a privilege to get,” said Veronica Burton, who had 13 points and a team-high seven assists on Thursday. “Sometimes it can also be a little bit difficult to start off with a lot of intensity and energy.”
Golden State, which lost at home to Chicago 69-63 on May 13, started well against the short-handed Liberty, leading 25-15 after one quarter and remaining in command throughout. The Valkyries finished with 13 3-pointers in 35 attempts, compared with New York’s 6 in 24 attempts.
Now the Valkyries will go from a week-long break in between games to finishing a back-to-back set.
“Being on the road and having a back-to-back, you can kind of get into a self-pity mode,” Burton said, “but we embrace the opportunities to come out here and compete.”
–Field Level Media
