After Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston returned from Team USA’s FIBA gold-medal run, Sophie Cunningham said the Indiana Fever expected a smoother adjustment. Indiana beat Toronto, then lost to Washington in what Cunningham called one of their worst games of the season.
On the Sept. 24 episode of No Hesitation, Cunningham said the Washington loss was painful but came early enough for the team to learn before the playoffs. Indiana scored 77 points, never led, and ended a three-game winning streak; Washington shot 57% from the field and made 9 of 18 three-pointers. The loss also ended Indiana’s run of four straight games scoring more than 100 points.
Indiana followed with a 96-77 win over top-seeded Minnesota, then lost the regular-season rematch 86-66, its worst defeat of the season. Minnesota scored 62 points in the first half, and Clark had two points. The Fever were set to open the playoffs against defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
