“Aliyah Boston Reflects on Fever’s Path Without Caitlin Clark — ‘She’s a Fantastic Passer, But We Have to Adjust and Step Up’”
Aliyah Boston has never been one to shy away from leadership. From her collegiate dominance at South Carolina to her steady emergence as the anchor of the Indiana Fever, her approach has always been grounded in accountability and poise. So when Caitlin Clark—Indiana’s high-profile rookie sensation and the WNBA’s most polarizing player—was suddenly unavailable, it was no surprise that Boston was the one who addressed the media with clarity and conviction. Her words echoed throughout the locker room and reverberated across the league. “She’s a fantastic passer,” Boston said, referring to Clark, “but we have to adjust and step up.” It wasn’t a shot, and it wasn’t shade—it was a rallying cry, a professional declaration that while Clark’s presence changes the gravity of the floor, her absence doesn’t give the Fever permission to fold. For Boston, it was about respect for the game, belief in her teammates, and responsibility to the organization.
Caitlin Clark’s brief time in the WNBA has already shifted narratives, altered fan engagement, and brought new eyeballs to the Indiana Fever. Her court vision, deep range, and ability to manipulate defenders have elevated not only her own game but the opportunities of those around her. Players like Aliyah Boston have reaped the benefits of Clark’s presence. Whether it’s high-low feeds, transition lobs, or perfectly timed pocket passes, Clark has a knack for finding Boston in her favorite spots. But when that dynamic was temporarily taken off the table—whether due to injury, rest, or league obligations—Boston and the rest of the roster were forced to reassess how they’d generate offense and maintain cohesion.
Boston’s reaction wasn’t rooted in panic, but in preparation. “We’ve had enough time to build chemistry with Caitlin, but we also know we can’t rely on one person to carry us every night,” she said. “I’ve been working on expanding my game. That means being more aggressive, making quicker reads, and helping my teammates get easy looks when the ball is in my hands.” That evolution in Boston’s approach reflects her broader basketball IQ. She’s not just a back-to-the-basket post anymore. She’s learning to facilitate from the elbows, run inverted pick-and-rolls, and space the floor when necessary. Clark’s absence, while not ideal, offers Boston and others a chance to diversify their skill sets and grow as independent contributors.
In the most recent stretch without Clark, the Fever turned to a more motion-heavy offense. Instead of relying on a singular engine to orchestrate, they leaned into a collective effort—more cuts, more ball movement, and more deliberate execution in half-court sets. Kelsey Mitchell took on a greater scoring load, Erica Wheeler provided veteran stability, and NaLyssa Smith showcased flashes of her versatile two-way potential. But it was Boston who stood out, not just statistically but emotionally. Her energy was contagious, her presence calming. “I know I have to lead,” she said. “It’s not about yelling or making speeches. It’s about doing the little things—boxing out, setting hard screens, communicating on defense, and being a calming voice in the huddle.”
What Boston understands better than most is that leadership in the WNBA isn’t always glamorous. It’s not just about scoring 20 and grabbing 10. It’s about being consistent when the cameras aren’t rolling, about investing in the growth of teammates, and about staying locked in regardless of who’s on the court. “We have a lot of young talent,” she said. “Sometimes we need to be reminded that we’re good enough to compete with anyone. Caitlin brings a lot of confidence to our group, but that confidence has to come from within too.”
That sentiment resonated with coaches and teammates alike. Head coach Christie Sides praised Boston’s maturity, noting that her demeanor rarely changes. “Aliyah is the heartbeat of this team,” Sides said. “She’s not the loudest, but when she speaks, people listen. She’s become more vocal this season, especially in practices when Caitlin isn’t there to direct things. That’s a big step for her.” Assistant coaches have echoed that sentiment, pointing out Boston’s attention to detail during film sessions and her growing ability to mentor younger players.
Even opposing teams have noticed the shift. One Eastern Conference assistant remarked after a recent Fever win, “They’re not just a one-star team. Boston is special in her own right. She controls the paint, reads double teams well, and anchors their defense. With or without Clark, that team is learning how to fight.” That evolving identity—the willingness to compete regardless of roster availability—is crucial for a young team trying to claw its way into playoff relevance.
Still, there’s no denying the impact Clark has when she’s on the floor. Boston has admitted the game feels more open when Clark is orchestrating. “She sees things before they happen,” Boston said. “Sometimes I’m not even expecting the ball, and it’s right there in my hands. That kind of chemistry is rare, and it takes time to build. But when she’s not out there, we have to trust each other and keep the ball moving. The spacing is different, but it’s also a chance for everyone else to touch the ball more, make decisions, and grow.”
That kind of perspective is rare for a second-year player, but Boston has always been an old soul. Her maturity, shaped by her college experience under Dawn Staley and sharpened by a challenging rookie campaign, has positioned her as a foundational piece of the Fever’s long-term vision. While Clark might be the marketing magnet, Boston is the bedrock. She knows the value of consistency and the importance of resilience. And when she speaks about “adjusting” and “stepping up,” it’s not hypothetical—it’s a call to action.
In games where Clark has been unavailable, Boston’s usage has increased significantly. She’s logged more touches, faced more double teams, and been asked to initiate more often. The results have been mixed—some turnovers, some forced shots—but also moments of brilliance: high-low feeds to cutting teammates, rim runs that drew defenders and freed up shooters, and a notable uptick in mid-range efficiency. Those glimpses offer a roadmap for what the Fever can become—a team not solely defined by one player, but by a versatile, interchangeable system anchored by Boston’s presence.
That’s not to say the team is better without Clark—far from it. The goal is to be whole, to find balance, and to build something sustainable. But as Boston continues to evolve into a more complete player and vocal leader, the Fever are discovering that their future doesn’t hinge on one star—it hinges on a culture of shared accountability. “When Caitlin’s here, we love it,” Boston said. “But when she’s not, we still expect to win. That’s what being a professional is all about.”
Boston’s message may not trend on social media the way Clark’s logo threes do, but within the walls of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, it carries weight. Her teammates believe in her. The coaching staff leans on her. And most importantly, she believes in herself. The Fever are still building, still learning how to close games and navigate adversity. But with Aliyah Boston at the core, they’re not just surviving Clark’s absences—they’re learning to thrive through them.
That resilience might be the most important development of all. As Boston continues to sharpen her leadership and expand her game, the Fever inch closer to becoming a team that’s not just fun to watch but formidable to play. And when Clark returns to the lineup, she won’t just rejoin a team that needs her passing—she’ll return to a group that has learned to stand tall on its own. Thanks in large part to a player who understands that greatness isn’t just about highlights. It’s about holding the line, lifting others, and showing up, day in and day out, regardless of the circumstances. Aliyah Boston doesn’t need to dominate the headlines—she just wants to dominate the paint and lead her team forward. That’s the kind of presence no absence can overshadow.
