Skip Bayless has issued a strong prediction regarding Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever as they head into the WNBA postseason. Despite losing their season finale to the Washington Mystics 92-91, Bayless believes the Fever could make significant noise in the playoffs, largely due to Clark’s recent surge in performance. The game saw limited playing time for Indiana’s starters, including Clark, who finished with 8 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds in 20 minutes, as the team had already secured the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.
Bayless sees Clark’s post-Olympic break improvement as a key factor that could propel Indiana deep into the playoffs. The Fever’s regular-season record of 20-20 is particularly impressive, considering their rocky 1-8 start. Bayless wrote on social media that this young Indiana team, led by Clark, will be “dangerous” in the postseason due to her ability to elevate her play under pressure.
Clark’s chemistry with co-star Kelsey Mitchell has been a major asset for Indiana, as evidenced by their combined 42 points in their most recent victory over the Connecticut Sun on August 28. Although the Sun hold a 3-1 edge in the season series, Bayless points out that most of those games occurred early in the season when the Fever were still finding their rhythm.
The Fever are set to face the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs, and while the Sun are favorites, Bayless believes Indiana’s growth over the course of the season, combined with Clark’s leadership, could result in an upset. Bayless has cautioned other teams to be wary of the Fever’s playoff potential, especially given how Clark has become a key figure both offensively and defensively for the team. Indiana will rely on her playmaking abilities and leadership as they prepare for their first postseason run since Clark joined the team.
With Clark’s ability to perform in clutch moments and the support of a strong team dynamic, Bayless suggests that the Fever could be the dark horse of the postseason, ready to surprise even the top-ranked teams.
