Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White acknowledged star guard Caitlin Clark‘s ongoing shooting struggles Friday night following a decisive 99-82 victory over the Atlanta Dream. Despite Indiana’s strong offensive performance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Clark continued her rough stretch, scoring just 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting, including a cold 1-of-7 from beyond the arc.
White, however, expressed no alarm over Clark’s continued inefficiency. “Every shot she shoots looks like it’s going in to me,” White said postgame. “I know it doesn’t mean anything that I’m not worried about Caitlin’s shot–but I’m not worried about Caitlin’s shot.”
How Many Points Did Caitlin Clark Have Today?
Clark finished with 12 points in 26 minutes against Atlanta. It was her second game back after missing five games due to a left groin injury. She also dished out nine assists and pulled down four rebounds, providing value even while struggling from distance.
Still, Clark’s shooting woes aren’t a recent phenomenon. Since June 19 against the Golden State Valkyries, Clark has shot just 28.9% from the floor and an even worse 11.4% from three-point range. This slump marks the worst five-game shooting stretch of Clark’s young WNBA career.
Fact is, Caitlin Clark hasn’t looked good for about a month…
She takes responsibility, but I believe injuries play a factor in disrupting her rhythm. She just doesn’t seem sure of herself & I really think she’s being mismanaged by her new coach, Stephanie White.
She’s… pic.twitter.com/Q7oRGGkjM1
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) July 12, 2025
White pointed out how opposing defenses are zeroing in on the Fever’s star player. “Her shot quality that she’s been getting has not been great,” White admitted. “We’re just so used to seeing her make tough shots. To be able to do that while she’s recovering from injury is going to be more difficult. That’s part of the reason that we want to try to make her life easier, and get her some easier looks. And it’s going to continue to be hard because every defensive game plan is to not allow those.”
Though her perimeter game faltered again Friday, Clark adjusted, scoring four of her five baskets from within eight feet. “I thought she did a really good job of attacking the rim and not just settling for tough, long jumpers,” White added.
Indiana Fever’s Response to Caitlin Clark’s Return and Team’s ‘Desperation’
Clark herself admitted before Friday’s game that the Fever, despite their mid-season playoff position, were feeling a sense of urgency after recent inconsistent performances.
“I think there is a sense of desperation,” Clark said. “But there’s also still a long ways to go at the same time. Like, I think we just approach it just one game at a time, one practice at a time. You know, you can’t get too caught up on the ones that we’ve maybe let slip away and you know that stinks but at the same time you can’t go back and reverse that.”
Indiana clearly took this mentality into Friday’s matchup. The Fever (10-10) recorded their second-highest point total of the season, led by All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell’s team-high 25 points. Sophie Cunningham provided crucial bench scoring with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while rookie star Aliyah Boston added 19 points and eight assists.
Clark and the Fever will attempt to carry Friday’s momentum into Sunday’s matchup against Paige Bueckers and the struggling Dallas Wings (6-15). Tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is set for noon ET, airing live on ABC and streaming on Fubo.
For More Great Hardwood Heroics Content
Follow me on Twitter at @bose_natas31345 for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in NBA and College Basketball, click here!
