Tension in Indiana: Caitlin Clark Told to Play Off-Ball and Set Screens — But Stats Prove Fever Thrive with the Ball in Her Hands

The Indiana Fever might be searching for identity, but one thing seems increasingly clear to fans, analysts, and even opposing coaches: Caitlin Clark is at her best — and the team plays its best — when the ball is in her hands. Yet in a move that’s raising eyebrows across the WNBA, Clark has reportedly been instructed by the coaching staff to “slow things down” and take on more off-ball, screen-setting responsibilities.

The decision has sparked growing debate and frustration, especially after another game where the Fever offense sputtered without Clark as the primary initiator, leading to yet another disheartening loss.

THE SHIFT: WHY IS CLARK OFF THE BALL?

Multiple sources close to the team revealed this week that Clark has been asked to shift her game — focusing more on moving without the ball, setting screens for teammates, and slowing the overall tempo. The intention, according to Fever coaching staff, is to develop offensive variety and reduce Clark’s workload as a rookie.

“She can’t do everything,” said one assistant coach under anonymity. “We’re trying to teach her to play within a system, not just dominate every possession.”

But fans — and many analysts — aren’t buying it.

“You don’t tell Steph Curry to be a decoy. You don’t ask Luka Doncic to screen,” said ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo. “Caitlin Clark IS the offense. You play through her, not around her.”

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE: FEVER OFFENSE IS ELITE WITH CLARK ON THE BALL

Advanced metrics from the last six games show a clear pattern:

When Clark initiates the offense, the Fever average 1.12 points per possession — a top-5 number in the league.

When Clark plays off-ball, that number plummets to 0.87 points per possession, one of the worst marks among WNBA starting units.

Even more telling: her assist-to-turnover ratio while on the ball is a respectable 2.3, while it dips below 1.5 when she’s forced into secondary playmaker or decoy roles.

“They’re handcuffing their own superstar,” said one former WNBA coach. “She has elite vision, elite range — and you’re asking her to screen for backup guards? It’s madness.”

THE BACKLASH: FANS AND FORMER PLAYERS SPEAK OUT

On social media, the reaction has been swift and fierce. Fever fans are openly questioning the coaching strategy, with the hashtag #FreeClark trending after the team’s latest loss.

“Let Caitlin cook!”

“If your plan is ‘make your superstar less involved,’ then maybe you need a new plan.”

“You’re watching a generational talent. Stop dimming her light.”

Even Sue Bird weighed in during a recent podcast:

“She’s doing things most players dream of — and they want her off the ball? I’d let her run the show every trip down.”

CAITLIN CLARK RESPONDS: DIPLOMATIC, BUT DETERMINED

When asked about the change in role, Clark remained professional but notably firm:

“I’ll do whatever the team needs, but I know where I’m most comfortable — with the ball, making decisions. That’s what I’ve always done.”

Reading between the lines? Clark may be cooperating for now, but she’s not hiding her instincts.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE FEVER? PRESSURE BUILDING

The Fever coaching staff, led by Christie Sides, is under increasing pressure. With a franchise centerpiece like Clark, and mounting losses despite her individual brilliance, many are questioning whether the system is failing her — and the team.

“You don’t mold Caitlin to fit your system,” said a prominent analyst. “You mold the system to elevate Caitlin.”

With the All-Star break looming, insiders say internal conversations are heating up, and a shift back to Clark-dominant offense may be on the table — before the season slips even further away.

FINAL WORD: LET CLARK BE CLARK

In sports, overcoaching can kill momentum. And in this case, it may be doing more harm than good. The Fever have a generational player. Now they must ask themselves:

Are they empowering her… or holding her back?

Because when Caitlin Clark has the ball in her hands — the whole league watches. And right now, Indiana might be benching its best weapon in plain sight.