EXPOSED: The 5 Indiana Fever Players Secretly SABOTAGING Caitlin Clark’s Rise—Wake Up, Fever Fans!

Caitlin Clark arrived in the WNBA with a bang—19.4 points per game and leading the league in assists during her rookie season set the stage for what many hoped would be a meteoric rise.

But instead of soaring, the Indiana Fever have been stuck in frustrating mediocrity in 2025.

The culprit? A roster riddled with players who just aren’t pulling their weight, and worse, are dragging down the league’s brightest young star.

At number five on this list is Sydney Coulson.

Signed as a veteran stabilizing force, Coulson was supposed to bring calm and guidance to the Fever’s young core.

Instead, she’s been a non-factor on the court.

Averaging a mere 2.5 points and under 11 minutes per game, Coulson’s slow pace and hesitant decision-making kill the Fever’s fast-break momentum.

For a team built on speed and sharp ball movement—Clark’s bread and butter—her sluggish style is a glaring mismatch.

Yes, she’s a leader off the floor, but when minutes count, the team needs energy, not hesitation.

Next up, Brianna Turner’s case is even more baffling.

Once a defensive powerhouse and first-round pick, Turner has vanished this season.

In just 14 games, her production is historically poor, with under one rebound and a dismal 20% shooting.

Her lack of hustle and poor defensive communication leave Clark exposed on both ends of the floor.

Instead of setting hard screens and crashing the boards, Turner drifts aimlessly, signaling a level of disengagement that the Fever can ill afford.

When minutes are precious, Turner’s on-court presence feels like dead weight.

Then there’s Kelsey Mitchell, a name that sparks debate.

A proven scorer with over 18 points per game last year, Mitchell’s numbers remain solid, but the fit with Clark is toxic.

Mitchell clings to her old role as primary ball-handler, over-dribbling and forcing isolation plays that kill the Fever’s offensive flow.

Clark’s brilliance comes when the ball moves quickly through her hands, but Mitchell’s reluctance to adapt slows the whole team down.

Defenders sag off Mitchell, daring her to take tough shots, while Clark is forced into extra defensive burdens.

Add contract drama—Mitchell seeks max money entering free agency—and the tension only grows.

The Fever’s future is Clark and Aaliyah Boston, not Mitchell’s solo show.

Number two is Deiris Dantis, brought in to provide toughness and floor spacing.

Instead, Dantis has disappointed with just 5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game on under 38% shooting.

Her slow rotations and lackluster defense create gaps that Clark must cover, sapping her energy.

In crunch time, Dantis disappears, leaving the Fever shorthanded when it matters most.

Though not a locker room problem, her passive play effectively sabotages the team’s tempo and rhythm, making her a costly liability.

Finally, the biggest drag of all: Natasha Howard.

Signed as a former All-Star and three-time champion, Howard’s season has been a slow-motion disaster.

Shooting under 41% and missing easy shots inside, she neither finishes at the rim nor stretches defenses with reliable shooting.

Defensively, the veteran’s once-sharp rotations have dulled; she’s beaten off the dribble and slow to close out.

Worse still, Howard’s body language screams disengagement—slumped shoulders, no energy after turnovers, and a lack of vocal leadership.

Instead of being a stabilizing veteran presence, she clogs the floor, slows the offense, and wastes precious minutes that could be developing promising young players like Michaela Onyenwere and Khloe Brown.

The contrast between Howard and Clark couldn’t be starker.

Clark rallies her teammates relentlessly, even when injured, while Howard appears detached and uninspired.

This gap in urgency and effort is poisoning the Fever’s chemistry and limiting Clark’s ability to shine.

The Fever’s predicament is clear: they have the league’s most electrifying young talent, a passionate fan base, and a promising supporting cast in players like Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham, who bring energy, defense, and unselfish play.

But these qualities are overshadowed by underperformers occupying key roles, blocking the team’s progress.

Michaela Onyenwere and Khloe Brown, despite limited minutes, embody the hustle and adaptability the Fever desperately need.

Their aggressive cutting, relentless rebounding, and floor-spanning defense align perfectly with Clark’s fast-paced style.

Even Ari McDonald showed promise stepping up when Clark was sidelined, though questions remain about her willingness to embrace a backup role.

The Fever’s future hinges on tough decisions.

Legacy contracts and sentimental roster spots must give way to players who fit the system, bring energy, and elevate Clark’s game.

The luxury of “good vibes” can’t outweigh on-court production in a league where championship windows slam shut quickly.

If Indiana doesn’t cut the dead weight—players like Howard, Dantis, Turner, Coulson, and the misfit Mitchell—they risk burning through Clark’s prime and possibly losing her altogether.

The formula for success is simple: surround Clark with sharpshooters who move without hesitation, defenders who communicate and rotate, and role players who sacrifice personal stats for team wins.

The clock is ticking for the Fever.

Fans and analysts alike must ask: who stays? Who goes? And can the Fever build a contender around their brightest star before it’s too late?

If you’re rallying for Clark and the Fever’s future, share this, drop your thoughts, and demand accountability.

Because in the ruthless world of pro sports, potential means nothing without the right supporting cast—and right now, Indiana’s roster is a ticking time bomb threatening to explode Clark’s breakout season.