The Indiana Fever fanbase is understandably frustrated after the team's 0-4 start. Naturally, rookie Caitlin Clark is at the center of the drama, as many people believe that she should've taken the last shot in Monday's 88-84 loss to the Connecticut Sun.
“Always so interesting how y’all lift up Caitlin Clark and give her grace no matter what she does…but Aliyah Boston misses a layup to TIE the game and y’all rip her to shreds,” @visions0flux said. “Very interesting.”
Boston, a second-year forward, is also getting some flak online. With 7.1 seconds left and Indiana down two points, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year missed a driving layup. Sun forward Alyssa Thomas then corralled the rebound, drew a foul, and knocked down two free throws to ice the game. @Strait_vibinn posted a brutal clip to poke fun at Boston after the unfortunate play.
However, all is not lost. Clark and Boston each finished with decent stat lines, complete with a joint-highlight-reel play.
Clark finished with 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting, to go with three rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Meanwhile, Boston had 10 points on 5-of-11 with eight rebounds, two assists, and three blocks.
The two also were the centerpiece of an electrifying play. Boston blocked a shot, leading to a deep three by Clark to take the lead, via the Fever's X account.
Luckily, some people are appreciating the two players' potential, via USA Today's Christine Brennan.
“It took Caitlin Clark less than a week to be everything we thought she could be as a pro,” Brennan tweeted. “Nothing but drama in that close loss: the twisted ankle, the fourth-quarter assists and spectacular logo 3, the fire and emotion that led to that technical foul. As always, must-see TV.”
Will Clark and Boston eventually win the fans over?
The Fever's road to success will be bumpy, but their potential is limitless
Clark sounded off on the heartbreaking loss postgame, via ESPN.
“I think you could see the progress we're making and that's why this one hurts a lot. We were right there and we had plenty of opportunities to go win the game and you don't,” Clark said. “We've played the top teams in the league and we were right there with the Sun today.”
The Iowa alum is right, as Indiana had lost by double-digits in each of their first three contests. Thomas even complimented the Fever's fight.
“This is what you expect from a young team, a lot of growing pains early on, a lot of ups and downs,” she said. “But they have to be proud of how they responded with a hard schedule to start the season. They did a great job today.”
That's high praise, as the 32-year-old is a four-time WNBA All-Star and a two-time All-Defensive first-team honoree. Indiana only has three players on the roster 30 years of age or older, so it makes sense that the team's struggling early with their lack of experience.
However, Fever fans should watch that highlight play with Boston and Clark if they ever doubt the team's potential for greatness.
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