Caitlin Clark will make her preseason debut against the Dallas Wings on May 3, but the Indiana Fever will be missing one player and dubious about another.
Fever player Damiri Dantas is now absent from the team due to a visa issue, according to a league source via the Indianapolis Star. Dantas, a Brazilian citizen, has played in the WNBA for eight years and was returning to the United States after playing in a Turkish professional league.
Kelsey Mitchell, a fever guard, is still doubtful because to an ankle injury sustained during a 3×3 match against the US national team in April. Mitchell has spent the last six seasons with the Fever.
According to Fever head coach Christie Sides, the player suffered an ankle injury while working out before to the 3×3 game. “She works on a day-to-day basis. I mean, she was outside today. You spotted her on the bike, getting photos. But she’s getting there faster than we expected.”
Clark is healthy and ready for her highly anticipated WNBA debut. The former Iowa standout has risen to superstar status in the previous two years, setting the NCAA all-time scoring record and going first in the WNBA Draft last month.
Fever Head Coach Christie Sides: ‘The Eyes Are on Us’
Amidst Clark’s enormous fame, Sides acknowledged “the eyes are on us” this season. That’s a big cry from the Fever, who haven’t had a winning season since 2016 and haven’t had back-to-back No. 1 draft picks since 2023.
With Clark and 2023 top choice Aliyah Boston, this is expected to alter. That is not to say that Sides expects things to improve automatically with exceptional talent around.
“Everything was earned. On April 30, Sides instructed her team to maintain a ‘no deposit, no return’ approach via Fever social media. “You’ve got to put it in.”
Analyst Makes Bold Claim About Caitlin Clark’s Future
While Clark isn’t talking about a championship in 2024 for the Fever, ESPN analyst Pat McAfee is.
During his May 3 broadcast, McAfee predicted that Caitlin Clark would win the following six championships. “Aces, congratulations on your little run. Wasn’t it fun? Welcome to the Fever’s W!”
Clark excelled at Iowa, leading the Hawkeyes to consecutive Final Four appearances but never winning a national championship. The Fever haven’t won a championship since 2012, the franchise’s only one.
Clark’s six rings would match those of American professional team sports greats Michael Jordan (six), Tom Brady (seven), and the late Bill Russell (eleven). Clark only wants to make the playoffs this year.
“Yeah, I believe [a championship] is definitely something our organisation wants to achieve, but I think our goal this year is to come back to the playoffs, one step at a time. On May 1, Clark told reporters: “You can’t put all your eggs in one basket.” “I think our team, and all the talent on our team, can really feel the potential that this group really has.”
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