With Caitlin Clark sidelined due to injury, the Indiana Fever suffered a tough 83-77 loss to the Washington Mystics. Lexie Hull revealed a shocking decision: the team didn’t review game footage after the defeat, opting instead to “turn the page” and focus on the upcoming matchup. Coach Stephanie White took a different approach, encouraging individual film review for players. With Clark out, the Fever are adjusting, but without their star’s leadership, can they bounce back? Stay tuned to see how the team adapts as they prepare for the Connecticut Sun.

Lexie Hull’s Startling Admission After Caitlin Clark’s Absence: Indiana Fever Struggles Continue

The Indiana Fever’s struggles continued in their 83-77 road loss to the Washington Mystics on Friday, marking their second consecutive defeat and the widest margin of loss so far this season. This was also the first game of the 2025 WNBA campaign without star player Caitlin Clark, who has been sidelined for at least two weeks due to a left quadriceps strain. While Clark’s absence was a clear factor in the loss, Lexie Hull’s post-game comments have raised eyebrows regarding the Fever’s approach to handling their recent setbacks.

Lexie Hull on the Fever’s Post-Loss Response

After the game, Hull was forthright in revealing that the Fever did not conduct a traditional post-loss film review. “We have a lot of areas to grow, but we didn’t watch the film from yesterday,” Hull admitted, referencing their performance in the loss to the Mystics. “We’re just turning the page. There will be a quick turnaround tomorrow, so we’ll focus on getting back to what we’re good at: playing our brand of basketball on offense and defense. We’re excited to turn the page.”

Instead of hosting a comprehensive team film session, head coach Stephanie White opted for a more individual approach. Players were told to review the game footage themselves or in smaller groups. As the Fever prepare to face the Connecticut Sun in just two days, White stressed the need for growth and improvement, particularly in the “little things” such as defensive coverage and screening. White’s comments pointed to the need for fine-tuning, as the Fever are clearly struggling to find consistency, especially with Clark sidelined.

Caitlin Clark’s Absence Leaves a Significant Void

Caitlin Clark’s absence was felt strongly throughout the game. Although the Fever were able to rely on veteran DeWanna Bonner, who contributed a season-high 21 points, the team lacked the pace, vision, and scoring threat that Clark brings to the floor. Without Clark’s dynamic presence, the Fever struggled to generate offense, particularly in late-game situations.

Clark’s unique ability to create plays for others—her 9.3 assists per game leads the WNBA—was sorely missed. While Bonner and others, like Aliyah Boston, have stepped up in terms of individual performances, the Fever have found it difficult to replicate Clark’s contributions on the court. Without Clark’s sharp passing and leadership, Indiana’s offense has appeared disjointed, leading to tough losses against the Mystics and other teams.

Sophie Cunningham and the Need for Leadership

With Clark unavailable, much of the pressure has fallen on the shoulders of other players, including Sophie Cunningham. While Cunningham has been solid for the Fever, her role in the absence of Clark is more critical than ever. Cunningham’s leadership and ability to step up in tough moments could be the key to stabilizing the team in Clark’s absence. However, her numbers through two games—7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 50% shooting—show that the team needs more than just steady performances from its veterans.

Head coach White has stressed the importance of leadership beyond the stat sheet, highlighting that Cunningham’s role isn’t just about scoring, but also about maintaining team cohesion and setting the tone on the floor. As Indiana’s current roster adjusts to Clark’s absence, Cunningham’s ability to lead by example and inspire her teammates will be crucial to the Fever’s success.

Struggles Continue Without Clark’s Playmaking

While Bueckers and the rest of the team have stepped up, the loss of Clark leaves a significant void in the Fever’s rotation. Veteran point guard Sydney Colson stepped in for Clark during Friday’s game against the Mystics, but she struggled with her shooting (2-of-7 from the field) and turnovers (three). Colson’s 87.3 offensive rating was the lowest on the team, and her 0.67 assist-to-turnover ratio was one of the weakest among the Fever’s players. The absence of Clark, who excels at playmaking, leaves the Fever scrambling for solutions at the point guard position.

In addition to the struggles on offense, the Fever’s defense also has work to do. While players like Timpson and Brianna Turner continue to lead defensively, the team’s overall performance has dipped in Clark’s absence, as they struggle to create stops and find consistency on both ends of the court.

The Road Ahead: Can the Fever Adjust?

As the Fever move forward without Clark, the challenge will be to build a more well-rounded team that isn’t reliant on one star player. The team’s ability to adapt to Clark’s absence will determine how successful they are in the coming weeks. While the team has the talent to remain competitive, they’ll need to find a rhythm and consistency in their play, especially with key games against teams like the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics.

Conclusion: The Fever’s Fight for Identity

The loss to the Mystics, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Clark’s recovery, has forced the Fever to evaluate their identity moving forward. With a talented roster but an uncertain future without their star player, the team will need to rely on the contributions of all players, particularly Cunningham, Bonner, and Colson. As they look to regain momentum, the Fever will need to stay focused and embrace a team-first mentality that doesn’t depend on one individual’s brilliance.

For now, it’s about turning the page, building from the ground up, and finding a new way to compete at the highest level—regardless of who’s on the floor. The next few games will be critical in determining how the Fever navigate Clark’s absence and how they continue to grow as a team in the 2025 season.