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ESPN Analyst Claims Fever Are 'More Dangerous' Without Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 2:07 PM ET

Caitlin Clark is widely considered the best player on the Indiana Fever, but at least one ESPN analyst believes the team is better without her.

Unfortunately for Clark, this has been an injury-riddled season for her. She missed a few games after suffering a quad strain in late May. The former No. 1 pick returned to the hardwood on June 14 before eventually going down with a groin strain.

Clark hasn't suited up for the Fever since June 24 against the Seattle Storm. The coaching staff plans on being patient with her recovery process.

"My goal has always been the same: I don't want this to be something that lingers, that we come back too soon," Fever coach Stephanie White told reporters this week. "We want to make sure that she is 100% ready to go and that we put her long-term health and wellness at the forefront."

Since losing Clark to a groin strain, the Fever have gone 3-1.

During an appearance on "SportsCenter," ESPN analyst Carolyn Peck suggested that Indiana is "even more dangerous" without Clark in the starting lineup.

"I think that Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn't play," Peck said. "Because she's a ball-dominant guard. The ball is in her hands a lot, so you know what you need to try to take away. But when you look at Indiana now, they've got so many weapons.

"When you have a point guard like Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald making plays on the perimeter, and a post like Aliyah Boston, I'm gonna tell you: Indiana, they are a threat. And it's specifically on the defensive end."

There's no doubt that take from Peck will ruffle some feathers on social media.

The Fever haven't announced a return date for Clark. Hopefully, she'll be back on the floor July 9 against the Golden State Valkyries.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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