Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever are approaching their final stretch of this WNBA season. This has been a season when they battled back from being one of the worst teams to now trying to move into the best position in the standings. That last push to gain a favorable first round playoff matchup requires them to win all of their remaining games. To do that, Clark will have to face A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces.
The MVP frontrunner is playing elite basketball never before seen in this league. When Clark was asked during a shootaround about Wilson’s play this season, she said:
She’s pretty incredible. You watch her and it’s just unguardable, there’s nothing anybody can do to stop it. Everybody in the league knows you can’t guard it. You basically live with what she’s going to do to you every single night. You contain it as best you can.
Caitlin Clark on A’ja Wilson
For a rookie playing in her first season witnessing such amazing performances led her to say that. She knows that opponents are having a tough time dealing with the 2-time WNBA MVP.
Caitlin Clark’s performances since the start of the 2nd half of the season prompted some to place her in the MVP race. But her own comments reveal that she acknowledges A’ja Wilson as being on a completely different level.
Caitlin Clark on A’ja Wilson’s numbers this season: “she’s pretty incredible. You watch her and it’s just unguardable… everybody in the league knows you can’t guard it, you basically live with what she’s going to do to you every single night. You contain it as best you can.” pic.twitter.com/qwPI74lBCo
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) September 10, 2024
With the way Calrk is playing now, it might not be long before she competes with Wilson in future MVP races. For that, the Indiana Fever star will have to work on improving her efficiency and bringing new plays into her arsenal.
Caitlin Clark to face her best friend twice at home
Indiana is only a few hours drive from Iowa, the city Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin became best friends. When asked about facing her best friend near their home, the WNBA superstar said:
It’s cool getting to see one of your best friends live out her dream & then play against each other, but at the same time it’s definitely pretty weird for the two us, we were teammates for four years. I know a lot of our coaches will be here.
Caitlin Clark said
Being in that proximity from their college means a lot of Hawkeyes fans, as well as their coaches and family members, should be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They will play two games against each other.
CC on how much she looks forward to hosting Kate Martin this week: “it’s cool getting to see one of your best friends live out her dream & then play against each other, but at the same time it’s definitely pretty weird for the two us… I know a lot of our coaches will be here.” pic.twitter.com/kiBianLkLM
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) September 10, 2024
It will create a surreal environment where Clark and Martin jerseys fill the arena. As they both happen to be in the top 5 of WNBA jersey sales. Kate Martin might not dominate the minutes or the stat sheets like her illustrious former college mate, but head coach Becky Hammon will likely use her knowledge and defensive prowess to slow Martin’s best friend down.
The last time Caitlin Clark faced the Las Vegas Aces, they were still trying to find their footing. Now it is a completely different story as their form suggests they can beat anyone. These two games will show if that form matters against the back-to-back WNBA champions.
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