Stephanie White didn’t follow the usual script when Caitlin Clark returned to the court Wednesday night. Instead of reinserting the rookie star into her familiar surroundings, White shook up the Indiana Fever's starting five, opting for a two-point guard look against the Golden State Valkyries.
MORE: Kate Martin joins starting lineup as Valkyries shut down Caitlin Clark, Fever
Clark, fresh off missing five games with a groin injury, finished with 10 points, six assists and five rebounds in 25 minutes. She shot just 33 percent from the field, and the Fever dropped to 9-10 after an 80-61 home loss. The change in lineup may have contributed to her less-than-stellar outing.
Rather than return to the group that supported her early in the season, White chose Aari McDonald over Lexie Hull in the backcourt. The decision paired Clark with another natural point guard, allowing her to play off the ball more than usual.
McDonald signed with the team midseason and had stepped into the rotation during Clark’s absence. She replaced veteran Sydney Colson in the lineup and made the most of the opportunity, averaging 10.3 points and 4.4 assists across those games. Her strong play clearly earned her some staying power.
Coach White Explains Her Strategy
After the game, White told reporters the move was meant to diversify Indiana’s offensive approach and reduce the pressure on Clark, especially with her just returning from injury. She doubled down on her thinking:
“I like having two primary ball handlers out there,” White said. “It allows us to give the defense different looks and helps Caitlin avoid having to bring the ball up the floor every time. That’s important when she’s just getting back.”
It’s unclear if this new configuration will be a short-term experiment or something more permanent. The Fever have now lost three of their first four games during a five-game home stand, and the Atlanta Dream are coming to town on Friday. Whether Hull returns to the starting unit or McDonald retains her spot could depend on how quickly the team finds its rhythm with Clark back.
What’s certain is that the Fever coaching staff is still tinkering, trying to balance development, depth, and winning in a competitive league. With Clark as the centerpiece, finding the right formula around her remains a work in progress.
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