What's wrong with Caitlin Clark? Inside the defensive woes, offensive inconsistencies for Fever star
What’s wrong with Caitlin Clark? Inside the defensive woes, offensive inconsistencies for Fever star originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Indiana Fever haven’t been able to find much consistency during the 2026 season, as they sit at 4-4 through their first eight games.
A big reason for that is star Caitlin Clark, who hasn’t quite found her groove yet this season. Clark has played in seven games, missing one with an injury, and has also been the target of physical defense as Indiana lost both games of a two-game road trip last week.
So far, the Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 91.8 points per game but rank third-to-last in points allowed at 89.0 per game. Indiana has allowed fewer than 90 points just twice and has surrendered at least 100 points in three separate contests.
The season is still young, so Clark and the Fever have plenty of time to address their defensive issues. Here’s a breakdown of what’s gone wrong so far this season for the star point guard.
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What’s wrong with Caitlin Clark?
Caitlin Clark’s start to the 2026 season has been uneven as she has yet to fully settle into the season. While Clark will usually be judged by her offense, it’s her defense that has been under the microscope in the early part of the schedule.
Caitlin Clark defensive issues
Clark has struggled defensively this year as teams have made it a priority to attack her on that end of the floor. Through May 31, Clark had faced by far the most isolations on defense of any player this year.
If it’s felt like teams have *really* looked to attack Caitlin Clark 1v1 this year, it’s because they have.
Total isolations defended so far, per Second Spectrum:
1) Caitlin Clark (42)
2) Olivia Miles (19)
3) Pauline Astier/DeWanna Bonner (18)
5) Kelsey Mitchell (17)— Nekias (Nuh-KAI-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 31, 2026
Clark discussed her struggles this week, arguing that she hasn’t been physical enough on defense and has allowed players to take easier shots closer to the rim instead of keeping them on the perimeter.
“I know I have to improve in that area, and I certainly will continue to work on it,” Clark said, via Joshua Heron of the Indianapolis Star. “It’s one of those things where you look in the mirror, you watch the film and you find ways to get better. Comparing the first Golden State game we had here, and then the last game, the difference is I forced them into 12- to 15-foot contested jump shots, rather than 7-foot shots around the rim. Those are a lot easier for people to make. Those are the shots that we want to take.”
Head coach Stephanie White said that the issue was more of a team-wide concern than belonging to Clark alone, as Indiana needs to help out Clark on the defensive end more.
According to ESPN Analytics, Clark as a -2 defensive rating, which is slightly below average but certainly not unplayable.
Caitlin Clark offensive struggles
Clark’s offensive numbers have been better than her defensive performances so far, but she’s currently in a bit of an offensive slump. Over her last two games, Clark has scored just 32 total points while making only four of her 19 field-goal attempts and two of her eight 3-point attempts.
Clark has made two or fewer 3-pointers in five of her seven games this season and was held without a made 3 in her last outing, just the fourth time that’s happened in her career. She spent much of that game in foul trouble, however, playing only 21 minutes.
Overall, Clark’s numbers are better than they were during her injury-plagued 2025 season, though they’re slightly below the pace she set during her 2024 rookie campaign. According to ESPN Analytics, Clark owns an offensive rating of 20, which ranks 17th in the WNBA this season.
Caitlin Clark-Stephanie White feud
Clark’s inconsistincies this year have led some to believe that there is a rift between the point guard and head coach Stephanie White. During the Fever’s last game, a loss to the Portland Fire, Clark and White got into an argument on the sidelines that may have resulted in White taking Clark out of the game.
Thought Steph left her fire in Connecticut! 🥵 pic.twitter.com/meFefzUAAf
— Mostly WNBA Tweets (@MostlyWNBA) May 31, 2026
However, Clark dismissed nay idea that there is an issue between her and White, saying that White has her back.
“Two people being competitive, two people that really want to win,” she said. “A lot of those things happen all the time.”
“I ride for Steph… Steph has my back more than anybody.”
Caitlin Clark responds to the animated exchange that she had with Fever head coach Stephanie White during the loss to the Portland Fire on Saturday: pic.twitter.com/Nchnen9FQS
— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) June 1, 2026
MORE: A history of the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry
Caitlin Clark 2026 stats
- Games: 7
- MPG: 29.4
- PPG: 20.1
- RPG: 4.0
- APG: 8.1
- SPG: 1.3
- FG%: 39.3%
- 3P%: 33.3%
- FT%: 95.1%
Clark’s numbers to begin her third season are more-or-less in line with her career numbers, as she is even averaging a career high in points per game. However, her numbers have gone down in the last two games, when she had her two worst performances of the young season.
