Former NBA All-Star Reveals Indiana Fever’s Key Mistake with Caitlin Clark

Five months after picking Caitlin Clark as the No. 1 draft choice, the Indiana Fever ended their seven-year playoff drought. They are now just 2.5 games behind the Seattle Storm in the WNBA standings, despite some controversy over the Fever’s mistake with Clark.

Clark’s arrival has been a game-changer for the Fever, boosting a robust team that already protected Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and NaLyssa Smith.

Despite their achievement, Joakim Noah, a two-time NBA All-Star and 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, thinks the Fever made a massive mistake. He believes they should have added a player to help guard Clark from the physical toll of the season, highlighting the Fever’s mistake with Clark.

Also read: WNBA Draft 2024: Caitlin Clark Joins Indiana, Angel Reese to Chicago

Joakim Noah told Fox News Digital that if he owned the Indiana Fever, he would bring in a tough player to protect Caitlin Clark. He feels Clark is getting hit a lot because of her talent. Noah believes that to win games, the team needs a strong player who can defend Clark and keep her safe.

This season, Caitlin Clark has confronted several flagrant fouls, particularly from the Chicago Sky, and has received some difficult hits that improve fears of a capability injury.

Clark has been the goal of 16% of all flagrant fouls in the WNBA this season, with five out of 31 fouls directed at her.

Read next: Caitlin Clark Leads Indiana Fever Past Chicago Sky in Rookie Duel

After Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese announced her season-ending wrist injury, concerns about Clark’s safety have increased. As Clark continues to play at an MVP level, she is likely to attract even more attention and potential risks.