WNBA Legend Sue Bird Names Caitlin Clark’s Biggest Issue originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Caitlin Clark has missed her last two games due to a lingering groin injury, but her return is expected soon. Fans around the country are eager to see her back on the floor, especially as the Fever look to build momentum this season.
Clark last played on June 24 in Seattle, where the Indiana Fever picked up a 94-86 win. It wasn’t her best performance, she scored just six points on 3-of-13 shooting in front of a packed crowd.
WNBA legend Sue Bird, speaking on her podcast ‘Bird’s Eye View’, reflected on watching that game in person and offered her take on Clark’s biggest challenge right now.
Sue on watching CC in Seattle:
“…it’d be really beneficial for her if she had players around her who could create shots for her. She has to create a lot of her own shots, but she’s also creating for her teammates- that’s where Aari McDonald might have some impact.” pic.twitter.com/sbZrREzmkK
— lo (@caitscroptop) June 29, 2025
Bird pointed out that Clark is often tasked with creating her own shot on nearly every possession.
“It’d be really beneficial for her if she had players around her who could create shots for her,” Bird said. “She has to create a lot of her own shots, but she’s also creating for her teammates—that’s where Aari McDonald might have some impact.”
Clark is averaging 18.2 points per game in her second WNBA season but is shooting just 39% from the field. Her three-point percentage has dipped to 29.5%, which is well below her college numbers and early pro expectations.
The Fever are hoping that the recent addition of guard Aari McDonald will help ease some of that burden. McDonald had six assists in her second game back with Indiana. At 26, she brings experience, playmaking ability and the speed to create better looks for Clark and others.
Clark continues to be one of the league’s top playmakers, averaging 8.9 assists per game. No other Fever player is averaging more than four. Aliyah Boston is next at 3.6 assists per game, followed by McDonald at 3.2.
As Clark gets healthier and McDonald finds her rhythm, Indiana may finally have the supporting backcourt pieces to help Clark maximize her scoring efficiency and get the Fever closer to a postseason push.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.