Caitlin Clark's rookie year made the Indiana Fever come to a strong conclusion.
There was no time to waste. It was time to go for it.
And so in the offseason, they added two veteran starters, Natasha Howard and DeWanna Bonner, both of whom have been stalwarts of the WNBA for a decade-plus.
On Thursday night, Howard showed just how crucial she can be, and exactly why Indiana made such moves.
Clark scored a meager 11 points against the Atlanta Dream in a rematch of a one-point loss. But this time, the Fever, won, because Howard went off.
The veteran forward finished with 26 points (12-17 FG, 1-2 3FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Natasha Howard tonight 🔥
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 23, 2025
• 26 points
• 7 rebounds
• 2 assists
• 12/17 FG pic.twitter.com/4MbyWIAHtS
Howard scored 18 of her points in the second half, including 13 in a massive third quarter.
The native of Toledo, Ohio is back in the Midwest and is showing she's still got it.
The Fever didn't shy away in the preseason from their championship aspirations, and it's additions like Howard, Bonner and Sophie Cunningham that could put them in that position.
If Howard can lift up the Fever on Clark's off nights, it'll go a long way toward competing near the top of the WNBA all season long.
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