Indiana Fever Celebrate Another Win While Caitlin Clark’s Deep Shooting Woes Persist in Concerning Trend for WNBA Rookie Phenom
The Indiana Fever walked away with another important win this week, building on their midseason push to climb back into playoff contention. The crowd was electric, the energy was high, and the team’s chemistry appeared stronger than ever. But as the confetti settled and the headlines celebrated Indiana’s latest triumph, one glaring subplot remained impossible to ignore: Caitlin Clark continues to struggle from three-point range—a surprising and increasingly concerning trend for a player long celebrated for her long-distance prowess.
Clark, known throughout her historic college career as a lethal shooter with Steph Curry-like range, entered the WNBA with sky-high expectations. Her deep shooting ability was a defining feature at Iowa, where she routinely knocked down shots from far beyond the arc, often with a defender draped over her. But in the pros, that magic from deep has, for now, gone missing.
In the Fever’s latest win—a hard-fought 83–78 victory over the Chicago Sky—Clark again struggled from long range, finishing just 1-for-8 from beyond the arc. That brings her shooting percentage from three for the last five games to a dismal 18.6%. Overall, on the season, her three-point shooting percentage now sits below 30%, far below the efficiency many expected from the No. 1 overall pick and NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.
And yet, despite her shooting woes, Clark continues to impact games in multiple ways—through her passing, rebounding, movement off the ball, and her ability to draw attention from defenses, which opens up opportunities for teammates. Against the Sky, she recorded 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals, helping Indiana hold off a late fourth-quarter surge. It was the kind of performance that proves her value goes beyond just shot-making.
Still, the shooting slump is now a major talking point—among fans, media, and even opposing teams who appear to be adjusting their defensive game plans accordingly. No longer are opponents selling out to defend Clark’s three-point shot. Instead, defenders are going under screens, daring her to shoot. And so far, Clark has been unable to make them pay consistently.
“I know I can shoot the ball better,” Clark admitted after the win. “I’ve done it my whole life. It’s just about rhythm, confidence, and continuing to take the right shots. I’m not going to stop shooting—I trust my work.”
Clark’s coaches and teammates have echoed that sentiment. Head coach Christie Sides has repeatedly emphasized her belief in Clark’s ability to shoot through the slump, noting that she draws the defense even when her shots aren’t falling.
“She stretches the floor just by being on the court,” Sides said. “Caitlin’s presence changes how teams guard us. That gives others room to operate, and she’s still creating plays even if the threes aren’t going in.”
Indeed, it’s been noticeable. Fellow guards like Kelsey Mitchell and veterans like Erica Wheeler have benefitted from the space Clark creates simply by being a threat. NaLyssa Smith, the Fever’s athletic and ever-improving forward, continues to find easy looks thanks to Clark’s vision and ability to manipulate defenders.
And yet, there’s no denying that fans—and Clark herself—expected more from deep. After all, the 3-pointer is her trademark. It’s what packed college arenas, drew national headlines, and brought millions of new eyes to women’s basketball. Watching her struggle from that distance feels almost jarring, like a concert pianist missing the same note over and over again.
So what’s going on?
Part of the issue may be physical fatigue. Clark is averaging nearly 34 minutes per game, a heavy load for a rookie adjusting to the faster pace and more physical demands of the WNBA. The season is longer, the defenders are bigger and quicker, and the margin for error is razor thin.
“She’s getting hit almost every play,” said one WNBA analyst. “It’s not just about taking shots—it’s about how you get them. She’s fighting through screens, getting bumped constantly, and by the time she’s in rhythm, her legs may not be there.”
Another factor could be mental pressure. Clark is playing under an enormous spotlight. Every game is televised, every shot is dissected, and every stat line becomes fuel for debate. That kind of scrutiny is rare for a rookie—especially in a league still growing its mainstream coverage—and it takes a toll.
“She’s carrying more than just a basketball right now,” said a former WNBA player turned broadcaster. “She’s the face of a movement, whether she asked for it or not. That’s exhausting, and it affects your shooting mechanics.”
There’s also the matter of defensive schemes. WNBA defenses are far more disciplined than what Clark faced in college. Gone are the days of isolation matchups and soft hedges. Now, she’s seeing constant traps, switching defenses, and elite perimeter defenders who know her tendencies inside and out. Her release, once lightning fast against college defenders, is now contested at every angle.
Yet even in this shooting funk, Clark remains committed to growth. She’s constantly in the gym, often staying after practice to get extra reps. Fever teammates have shared that Clark watches film obsessively, breaking down every possession to find the smallest advantages. The struggle, they say, is part of the journey.
“She’s a competitor,” said Mitchell. “You think she’s going to let a slump define her? No chance. She’s in this for the long haul.”
And fans, for the most part, remain supportive. While some online critics have seized on Clark’s shooting numbers as proof she was “overhyped,” a much larger majority recognize that growing pains are inevitable—and that Clark is still producing in meaningful ways.
“She’s got rookie legs, rookie targets on her back, and rookie expectations that no one else has ever had,” one fan tweeted. “Let her cook. The threes will come.”
Indeed, the data suggests that this kind of adjustment period is not unusual. Other legendary guards—Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, even Sabrina Ionescu—struggled with consistency during their rookie years. The jump from college to the pros is significant, and for those who rely on deep shooting, it often takes time to adjust to spacing, defensive pressure, and physical contact.
There’s also reason for optimism. Clark’s free-throw shooting remains elite, hovering around 90% for the season—an indicator that her mechanics are intact. Many coaches believe that strong free-throw shooters eventually find their rhythm from three, as both require similar muscle memory and shooting fundamentals.
More importantly, Clark has not let the slump affect her confidence. She continues to shoot when open, and her teammates continue to look for her. That trust—between player and team—is often what separates a temporary funk from a long-term problem.
“She hasn’t lost a step in who she is,” said Coach Sides. “She’s fearless. That’s why we love her.”
As the Fever continue their playoff push, Clark’s shooting will remain a storyline. But perhaps it shouldn’t define her. She’s still averaging double figures in scoring, leading the team in assists, and energizing an entire fan base with her hustle, leadership, and determination.
So while the three-pointers may not be falling right now, Caitlin Clark’s star hasn’t dimmed. If anything, this rough stretch is proving what many already knew: greatness isn’t about shooting 45% from deep—it’s about showing up, grinding through adversity, and lifting your team even when the shots don’t fall.
The Fever are winning. Clark is still leading. And eventually, those deep threes that once came so easily will start dropping again. When they do, it’ll be yet another reminder of why the basketball world remains so captivated by her every move.
