Caitlin Clark didn’t mince words following the Indiana Fever’s 12th loss of the season on Thursday against the Seattle Storm. The 22-year-old rising star voiced her frustration, pointing out the team’s persistent lack of a competitive edge.
After winning four straight games and appearing to find their rhythm, the Fever have now dropped two consecutive contests. Against Seattle, Indiana only led during the first three minutes when they went up 8-4. The Storm then took control, even building a 19-point lead in the third quarter.
Clark posted team-highs in points (15) and assists (seven), along with six rebounds, but she also committed six turnovers. The Fever ended with another double-digit defeat, 89-77.
Speaking to reporters postgame, Clark emphasized, “Nobody enjoys losing.” She further highlighted what she expects from the team moving forward. “We’ve lost 12 games and we’re not even at the halfway point of our season. We’re not gonna be walking around the court smiling. Being able to find that competitive edge while staying positive is a hard thing to do. We can definitely be better at it,” Clark shared via USA Today.
The loss was particularly disappointing given the Fever’s apparent cohesion during their recent winning streak. However, since squandering a 15-point lead against the Chicago Sky on June 23, the team seems to have lost that edge, as evidenced by their performance against the Storm.
Despite the setback, Clark and the Fever are not out of the playoff race yet. They are only half a game behind the Sky for the eighth seed and final playoff spot, leaving them with a fighting chance and plenty of games left in the season.
The Fever need to find a way to regain their form and avoid another losing streak. If they fail to do so, their playoff hopes could quickly fade.