“If not, you’re not a true baller.” This is what the Indiana Fever’s first-overall pick, Caitlin Clark, had to say about her injury scare back in May. Then, the rookie blamed stiff legs and laughed about not being the most flexible anyway. However, Christie Sides and the entire Fever family did not share the expression watching her twist her ankle. Something similar happened tonight as Indiana took over the State Farm Arena to lock horns with the hosting Atlanta Dream.

The Indiana Fever had a quick run as they thrashed the Dream in their own home. Adding to the pace and scoring was Caitlin Clark. However, with 3:09 on the game clock in the first quarter, as the No. 22 was moving in the paint and going behind Aliyah Boston, she twisted her left ankle badly, falling down on the floor. When the rookie did not stand up, the team came to surround her followed by the medical staff.

Although she did step away from the court on her own, it wasn’t short of a scare for Indiana; considering she is one of the primary offensive players on their roster. Till she left for the bench, Caitlin Clark had 5 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists.

With her gone, Erica Wheeler came in to attend to the floor and assist with plays in the remaining three minutes of the first quarter. Bringing light of hope back to the Fever fans, Caitlin Clark rejoined the team on the court in the second half.

“I saw the replay, and I look really soft. It wasn’t that bad of a turn, but it hurt,” Clark said after the game. She finished with 19 points, 7 assists, and went 4-0f-9 beyond the arc to tally her 3 pointers at 85 and tie the record for most by a WNBA rookie.

With that, Clark continues to remain in the ROTY race, helping the Indian Fever, in the process, be the best they have been since 2016.

How does the presence of Caitlin Clark affect Indiana?

To date, Caitlin Clark is leading the league in having played most minutes. Why? Because she is the offensive powerhouse who breaks down the opponents in many ways than just one. For instance, as soon as she left the court tonight, Erica Wheeler subbed in. Although an All-Star and a veteran, she cannot match the pace that the Iowa sensation can work at.

Another way in which she definitely adds to the squad is what she is most known for — her passing. The rookie is leading the league with an 8.3 assists average and has already surpassed 200 assists to become the only player to do so in the WNBA’s history. Her, along with Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and NaLyssa Smith are becoming one of the best pick-and-roll action makers in the W. Clark is also ahead of Sabrina Ionescu when it comes to go-ahead passes from the backcourt. Lexie Hull, Katie Lou Samuelson, and Mitchell are mostly the scorers in this case.

Even if we don’t look at these aspects, the mere presence of Caitlin Clark, probably due to the hype or knowledge, affects the opponents. She creates space for her teammates by gaining attention to herself. More often than not, there are two players guarding her, leaving at least one of her teammates free. Otherwise, she gives length to Indiana through her deep threes.

Fever now stands seventh in the league, 3rd in the Eastern Conference. And Indiana has not been in the postseason since 2016. Clark has sure played her part.