The 2026 WNBA season hasn't even tipped off yet, and already the Caitlin Clark conversation is heating up in unexpected ways. While Clark remains one of the league's brightest stars, an ESPN analyst has thrown a curveball that has Fever fans seeing red.
Lawrencia Moten, appearing on a recent broadcast, suggested that Indiana's offense actually became more dangerous when Clark was sidelined last season with a groin injury. According to Moten, the team's reliance on Clark made them predictable, but without her, the Fever found a new rhythm that opponents struggled to counter.
“This is my hot take. Honestly, the Indiana Fever played some of their best team basketball without Caitlin Clark, and that’s because she’s like the sun that that offense kind of orbits around. The ball is constantly in her hands, which just made their offense extremely easy to guard,” Moten said, via The Comeback. “Now, without her in the lineup, (head coach) Stephanie White had to decide who else was going to get in the mix, and their offense became so much more diverse. We saw Kelsey Mitchell have a tremendous season. Lexie Hull got in the fold. Aliyah Boston had another dominant season. All because they had to do it without Caitlin Clark, and that made their offense extremely hard to guard.”
Clark, who has averaged 18.5 points and 8.5 assists per game since entering the league in 2024, missed significant time last year but still helped the Fever reach the WNBA semifinals. Her return has been highly anticipated, with LeBron James among those celebrating her comeback.
But Moten's take didn't sit well with Fever faithful. Social media erupted with criticism, with one fan comparing her to former WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes, who has also made controversial comments about Clark. Another asked, “Who is L Moten? Outside of being someone irrelevant and jealous of CC,” while a third warned, “All these haters want to do is minimize her and break her confidence and will.”
Interestingly, Clark herself has acknowledged the toll of being the primary ball-handler. During the Fever's media day in April, the former No. 1 pick said she's open to adjusting her role, especially with rookie point guard Raven Johnson now on the roster. “It is exhausting, bringing the ball up 94 feet versus pressure every single time,” Clark said. “So, we certainly need to find somebody that can handle the ball a little bit and give me a little bit of a break.”
That willingness to evolve could actually make the Fever even more formidable, blending Clark's star power with the depth that emerged in her absence. The team's championship aspirations remain front and center, and Clark has made it clear she's prioritizing winning over individual accolades.
The Fever kick off their regular season Saturday against the Dallas Wings at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. All eyes will be on how Clark and the team mesh, especially after a preseason that included a brief knee scare that had fans holding their breath.
Whether Moten's hot take proves prophetic or just another preseason noise, one thing is certain: the 2026 WNBA season is already delivering drama before the first whistle blows.
