Fever's biggest failure without Caitlin Clark keeps costing them games

The Indiana Fever were already in a tough spot without Caitlin Clark. But Thursday night’s 85-75 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks was a harsh reminder of just how much Clark’s absence hurts.

With Clark sidelined, the Fever lost not only its top scorer and playmaker, but they also lost their ability to function on offense altogether. And nowhere was that more evident than in their failure to consistently get the ball to Aliyah Boston

Boston entered the game leading the WNBA with a stellar 62% field goal percentage, but the All-Star big spent much of the night battling for position and calling for the ball, only to be ignored, mistimed, or completely missed.

The result was a 4-of-13 shooting night that wasted one of the team’s best advantages. The Fever had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. They blew it. And without Clark, the offense continues to look completely directionless in crunch time.

The Fever can't maximize Aliyah Boston with Caitlin Clark out

The Fever actually entered the fourth quarter with that 10-point lead and were seemingly in control despite an uneven offensive night. But once again, their late-game execution collapsed without Clark.

Indiana was outscored 35-17 in the final quarter, falling apart offensively as the Sparks capitalized on a stagnant Fever offense. A few untimely mistakes and missed rebounds late in the game ultimately sealed the deal.

Yet, time and time again, Boston was able to seal her defender in the paint, only for the ball to never come. Sometimes, it was hesitation on the part of Indiana's ball handlers. Other times, her teammates just didn't see her.

Either way, Indiana’s guards simply couldn’t get Boston the ball cleanly. The Fever's inability to consistently find Boston on post-entry passes has tanked their offense without Clark, and that was never more evident than in tonight's loss.

That issue becomes a double blow, too. Not only have the Fever lost their best scorer and passer in Clark, but their second-best player in Boston has become far less effective as well.

When Kelsey Mitchell isn’t shooting the lights out — which hasn’t happened consistently when Clark is out — Indiana has no offensive identity. No amount of hustle points and rebounds from the likes of Aari McDonald, Lexie Hull, and Sophie Cunningham is enough to overcome a broken half-court offense.

Until the Fever figure out how to run an offense without Clark, the ceiling — and floor, for that matter — of this team will remain painfully low. Indiana must find a way to run the offense through Boston in Clark's absence.

That starts with allowing her to do what she does best.

More Indiana Fever news and analysis: