The Indiana Fever have competed as second-year guard Caitlin Clark deals with a groin injury, recently winning three straight games, including the Commissioner’s Cup championship game.

Have the Fever discovered that they don’t necessarily need Clark? ESPN’s Carolyn Peck, who coached Purdue to the 1999 national championship, is impressed with how they’ve played in Clark’s absence.

“I think that Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play because she’s a ball-dominant guard,” Peck said. “The ball’s in her hands a lot, so you know what you need to try to take away.

“But when you look at Indiana now, they have so many weapons and Kelsey Mitchell is playing out of her mind.”

Peck also praised Aliyah Boston‘s development in her third season, and newcomer Aari McDonald.

“Indiana, they are a threat, particularly on the defensive end. (Fever coach) Stephanie (White) is so pleased with the intensity they bring defensively,” Peck said. “They wreak havoc.”

The Fever are 5-4 with Clark in the lineup this year. She has missed 10 games, including the Cup title game, due to injuries. Her season averages: 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals. A 3-point shooting drought just before her recent injury has dropped her to 29.5%.

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Indiana is 5-5 (including the Cup title game) with Clark sidelined, with four players exceling over the past five games:

• Kelsey Mitchell: 21.6 points, 46.9% 3-pointers
• Aliyah Boston: 17.6 points, 9.2 rebounds
• Natasha Howard: 15.2 points, 9.5 rebounds
• Aari McDonald: 10.2 points, 4.6 assists

The Fever (9-9) are smack in the middle of the WNBA standings close to the mid point of a 44-game season. They beat the league-leading Minnesota Lynx in the Cup title game, and cellar-dwelling Connecticut beat them — both without Clark in the lineup.

Though the results are comparable, suggesting Clark’s absence benefits the Fever is bold.

Carolyn Peck “Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play” 🤯

Via sudharsan_ak10 on X pic.twitter.com/g1hTrrJezS

— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) July 4, 2025

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever more dangerous without Caitlin Clark, ESPN analyst says