Photo via Yahoo Sports

"Pull One of the Valkyries": WNBA Columnist Offers Offseason Blueprint For Fever to Build Around Caitlin Clark

The Indiana Fever’s offseason focus may hinge on shoring up their defensive vulnerabilities, according to WNBA analyst Candace Buckner. The team, led by superstars Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, ranked first in offensive efficiency but struggled mightily on that end, finishing eighth in defensive rating and allowing over 90 points per game—a league-worst mark among playoff teams.

Their porous defense contributed to a historic 12 losses in games where they scored 100 or more points, a WNBA record. Buckner suggested targeting a defensive upgrade by acquiring a wing player capable of anchoring the team’s backline, pointing to Golden State’s Valkyries as a model.

The Valkyries, led by Kayla Thornton, posted the league’s best defensive rating (99.3) and held opponents to under 70 points 14 times this season. Thornton’s defensive impact could address the Fever’s need for a player who can complement their explosive offense while improving their league-average defensive performance.

Up nextWNBA· 10h ago

"Don't Think That's Fair": Caitlin Clark's Comparison With Kelsey Mitchell Draws Verdict From Ex-College Player After Fever Star's Exit Interview