Fever subtly reveal the silver lining of Caitlin Clark's injury

Caitlin Clark didn't play in Wednesday night's game against the Washington Mystics and fans won't see her suited up ahead of Friday's match against the Sun — in fact, it'll be quite some time before she's back on the court. While that's a disappointing reality for fans and Clark alike, her absence might prove to be a blessing in disguise for the team, something that allows other players to step up and perform without the auspice of the Caitlin Clark effect.

By now nearly every fan of the WNBA is more than aware of what the Caitlin Clark effect is and how it's changed the league. Ever since Clark was affiliated with the WNBA, attendance has gone up, viewership has gone up — and expectations are through the roof. We saw the Caitlin Clark effect in motion all preseason as the Fever added veteran after veteran to a mixed bag of cheers and skepticism from fans (the latter largely due to some fans being unfamiliar with anyone who isn't... Caitlin Clark).

The fact of the matter is that the Fever have an incredibly strong team made up of many athletes who have been in this league for a long time, and they know what they're doing and how to win championships. The team, like many who made significant changes during the offseason, will continue to find their rhythm collectively and Clark's brief absence from the court allows the focus to shift to the strengths of her teammates.

DeWanna Bonner rose to meet the moment

Though Wednesday night's game was tough, one player had a dramatically improved night. DeWanna Bonner, who has not put in her strongest performances so far this season, hit 21 points, rebounds, and 1 assist for the Fever — a breakout performance that was truly only a hint of things to come from the third all-time leading scorer in the league.

This is the kind of performance that helped Bonner land back-to-back All-Star appearances and to win two championships. Up until Wednesday, she had only hit 10 points total — and last night she blew that number out of the water.

Caitlin Clark has the opportunity to grow

The injury also allows Clark herself the opportunity to grow as a player — and as an expert in her field. Clark's basketball IQ has often been praised throughout her career, and Coach White has made it clear that Clark will be seated with coaching staff throughout the team's upcoming games and will be privy to the conversations coaches are having. This will only make her a stronger athlete, and a more informed player on the court — and by the time she's back with her team, it's likely she will be closer than ever to being unstoppable.