In less than two weeks, the 28th WNBA playoffs will be knocking on our doors. Clinching a playoff spot in the second half, the Indiana Fever looks dangerous. Ever since they are back from the Olympic break, Caitlin Clark and Co. have created an 8-2 record. However, there is one thing that can potentially take away their winning edge, i.e. they all lack a good playoff experience, which can be a problem for them in keeping a strong leg in the post-season.

In a discussion with ESPN’s sports analysts, Rebecca Lobo engaged in a conversation pressing upon the same, while she gathered some insights that gave a 360-degree view of the whole situation. Let’s explore.

Caitlin Clark and Co. under a microscope

At first, Lobo leaned on to a few upsides that Fever can have in the playoffs and said, “I think they can win a first-round matchup depending on who they play. Right now, they’re seated to play the Connecticut Sun. The last time that these two teams matched up, Indiana did win that game.”

It is after 8 years that Indiana has made it to the playoffs. The last time they competed in the playoffs was in 2015. They had a 20-14 and climbed up by winning two rounds only to lose the Finals. Then, in 2016, they again reached the playoffs and had a 17-17 season record, but they lost in the first round itself. From then on till last year, it has been a dry spell for the franchise.

Further, Lobo gravitates to the situation by raising concerns over the team’s inexperience. “The big concern for Indiana, of course, and you heard Caitlin Clark and Aaliyah Boston joking about it on the podium, is they don’t have any playoff experience. Today, their starting lineup has a combined zero games of playoff experience. Their entire roster has only nine games of playoff experience.”

Indiana’s starting five, including Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith, and Aliyah Boston have one thing in common, i.e. they couldn’t ever make it to the playoffs since they have been drafted in the league. However, it is Clark who has switched things several notches up for the team as they finally found a rhythm.

But still, the WNBA legend questioned, “So when they get into those moments, you know, how will they handle going against some of those upper teams that have been there combined 200 times?” 

To be honest, her question seems fair when we place Caitlin Clark and Co.’s vibrant energy and symphony against the league veterans who have tasted both victories and defeats numerous times in the playoffs and know every corner to the edge to fight back!

It was only last weekend that they had the opportunity to witness that.

Clark was astonished by 4x WNBA champions, Minnesota

Last weekend, the Fever took a knee after being handed the second defeat by the Lynx in the last nine games and broke their 5-game winning streak late in the season. The game came around to be a foreshadow of playoff competition for the Fever.

Although she lost, Clark was mesmerized by their veteran vibe. “Honestly, I think they’re the hardest team to guard. I think their movement is incredible. The way they play is incredible. It’s how basketball should be played. I think our matchup is just great for basketball too. If you want to watch two teams that play basketball the right way, it’s this,” said the 2024 first-overall pick.

But the defeat also gave them something to work on. Given they competed against a strong team, getting those stops and rebounds and having that firm defense are the prospective aspects they need to master. Maybe then they could strengthen their contention in the playoffs.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger