Lexie Hull Reveals Indiana Fever’s Locker Room Struggles Amid Caitlin Clark’s Injury
The Indiana Fever are facing a challenging stretch following the sidelining of their star rookie Caitlin Clark due to a left quad strain. In the wake of the team’s worst loss of the WNBA season—an 83-77 defeat to the Washington Mystics—guard Lexie Hull candidly exposed the Fever’s internal struggles, revealing that the team skipped a full group film session after the game and is still trying to find its footing without Clark’s dynamic presence.
Lexie Hull admitted postgame that the Fever did not conduct a traditional film review as a group, opting instead to “turn the page” quickly and focus on moving forward. Head coach Stephanie White explained that players were instructed to review game footage individually or in small groups due to the quick turnaround before their next game against the Connecticut Sun, White’s former team. The Fever’s approach reflects a team under pressure to regroup rapidly despite evident gaps in execution and cohesion.
Hull acknowledged the team has “a lot of areas to grow,” especially on defense and in making smarter decisions like screen setting and passing. The Fever’s offense, which normally thrives on Clark’s court vision, floor spacing, and lightning-fast playmaking, has lacked its usual spark in her absence.
Sydney Colson, who stepped into Clark’s starting role, struggled offensively, shooting just 2-of-7 and committing five fouls and three turnovers in 31 minutes. Despite being one of the team’s better defenders, Colson’s offensive efficiency and ball control have raised concerns, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of just 0.67 and the lowest offensive rating on the roster.
Meanwhile, the Mystics took advantage of Indiana’s vulnerabilities, with Britney Sykes scoring 21 points and rookie Sonia Citron applying relentless pressure. The Mystics’ bench outscored the Fever’s reserves, highlighting depth issues for Indiana.
Despite the challenges, some players stepped up. Aaliyah Boston continued her dominance on the boards, leading the team in rebounds for the fourth time in five games. Veteran Dana Bonner delivered a season-best 21 points, providing a much-needed offensive boost. Lexie Hull herself contributed nine points and posted a respectable defensive rating.
Even while sidelined, Caitlin Clark remains a vocal leader. Hull described Clark as “ready to be back” and actively involved, seen on the court talking to referees and offering insights from the sidelines. Clark’s ability to view the game from a different perspective is helping the team learn and adapt during this difficult period.
Coach White emphasized the need to focus on fundamentals—defense, effort, communication, and execution. She noted that the team’s defensive lapses, especially in on-ball screens and rotations, have been costly. The Fever must become more physical and disruptive to opponents’ rhythm and spacing, something they have struggled with so far.
White acknowledged that the team feels like it is “starting over” without Clark, Dee, and Sophie at full strength, but she views this adversity as an opportunity to grow stronger. The quick turnaround schedule demands that the Fever lock in and improve rapidly.
With a tough matchup against the Connecticut Sun looming, the Fever are under pressure to rediscover their identity and cohesion. The team’s record has slipped to 2-3 after back-to-back close losses, and the absence of their star rookie has exposed how heavily they rely on her playmaking and leadership.
Lexie Hull’s honest revelations and Stephanie White’s candid assessments paint a picture of a team grappling with significant challenges but determined to adapt and improve. The Indiana Fever’s ability to bounce back without Caitlin Clark will be a defining test of their resilience and depth as the WNBA season unfolds. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this young team can overcome adversity and reclaim its competitive edge.
