Caitlin Clark's return means Fever fans will see one major change

According to Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, Caitlin Clark is set to return to action against the Golden State Valkyries in Wednesday's afternoon bout at home. The noon tipoff, which is set at that time thanks to camp games getting underway, will be where Fever fans can catch another return of Clark from another injury this season.

It's not been a glamorous beginning to Clark's second season. Injuries have been a major talking point so far, but she's still going to be an All-Star game captain regardless. Indiana has stayed afloat in her absence, mostly in thanks to the Fever remaining a top defensive team in the WNBA and the team re-signing Aari McDonald after releasing DeWanna Bonner.

McDonald and Clark are both talented facilitators, with Clark having strengths in her shooting and McDonald being a better defender. And, probably to the surprise of some Fever fans, they've never shared the floor this season. When Clark came back from her quad injury earlier in the season, McDonald was released.

So, we're about to get a great look at one major change that White can implement in order to not only ease Clark back into WNBA action, but to get her three point shooting steadied after it took a hit post-quad injury: playing McDonald on ball while Clark is the Fever's off ball guard for stretches of time.

Off bal Clark could be on its way with McDonald back in the fold

Indiana Fever beat reporter Scott Agness recently posted a video from Fever practice where the team was running sets with McDonald as the point guard. In short, it was promising.

McDonald, Aliyah Boston, and Clark can all act as initiators in sets for Indiana after Clark returns from this current groin injury she's been dealing with, and that can open so much up for Clark as a screener for McDonald. It frees her up as a shooter and a cutter, and her gravity also opens things up for McDonald in turn, who is an excellent driver and finisher.

READ MORE: WNBA reporter suggests exciting All-Star team pick for Caitlin Clark

It's almost like Indiana was handed a brand new offense with the return of McDonald to the roster, which only happened - ironically - thanks to Bonner asking off the team. With her unhappiness with her role on the Fever came a huge opportunity for McDonald to land with a team in earnest for the 2025 season.

They have to take the opportunity handed to them by McDonald and run with it, even if it means introducing Clark to a new style of play where she's expected to still impact the game without the ball in her hands.