Clark should not rush again. Nevertheless, the Fever and the WNBA are higher along with her on the court docket.
Listed here are 5 explanation why.
Caitlin Clark is a large draw
The TV rankings have held up fairly properly with out Clark on the ground, particularly for the Fever.
According to Sports Media Watch, “Tuesday’s Mystics-Fever WNBA common season recreation averaged 330,000 viewers on NBA TV, down from the identical matchup six days earlier, which drew 357,000.”
The 357,000 represented a 39 % drop from the earlier recreation in opposition to the New York Liberty (with Clark), according to Sports Illustrated.
One other Fever recreation with out Clark drew 851,000 viewers in comparison with 459,000 for a recreation proper after. So even when Clark is not enjoying, she and the Fever are a draw.
However there isn’t any denying these TV numbers would have been even larger with Clark in uniform.
Indiana faces a key stretch
Indiana is 1-2 with out Clark. The Fever had been 2-2 with Clark, nevertheless, their losses had been by a mixed three factors to New York and Atlanta, which have a mixed report of 13-2.
The Fever regarded like among the finest groups within the WNBA with Clark. With out Clark, they’ve been discovering their method. Aliyah Boston has helped the offense be extra productive, nevertheless, Indiana’s scoring common has dropped seven factors in Clark’s absence.
Indiana performs at Chicago (2-4), winners of two in a row on Saturday, adopted by one other street recreation in opposition to Atlanta (5-2). A house recreation in opposition to undefeated New York looms after that.
With out Clark, there is not a assured win on that schedule. Together with her, Indiana is a menace to win all of them.
The Reese-Clark rivalry is sweet for the WNBA
If Clark had been wholesome, it seems like there can be much more hype surrounding Saturday’s recreation.
The primary matchup of the common season wasn’t all that aggressive within the second half, however there have been nonetheless some fireworks.
Rivalries are good for sports activities. The WNBA may use extra of them. Lacking out on a Reese-Clark matchup is a bummer.
A minimum of there are three extra on the regular-season schedule.
Clark’s MVP possibilities
Some followers may joke about Clark’s absence serving to her MVP possibilities by proving her worth to the Fever.
Nevertheless, you’ll be able to’t win an MVP Award on the sideline, particularly when Napheesa Collier is enjoying out of her thoughts. The Lynx are unbeaten, and he or she’s threatening to run away with the MVP already.
Clark is the WNBA’s Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods modified the recognition of the PGA Tour, very similar to Clark did the WNBA. The tour nonetheless had nice gamers when Tiger did not play, however it simply did not really feel as fascinating.
The WNBA is similar. It is a tremendously proficient league, however with out Clark, it seems like one thing is lacking. Type of just like the NBA with out Michael Jordan or LeBron James of their heyday.
The present should go on, even with out the star, however you’ll be able to guess the league is rooting for a wholesome Clark as quickly as attainable.
