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ESPN Analyst’s Remark About Fever Being Better Without Caitlin Clark Roasted by Fans
Caitlin Clark missed her 11th game of the season Wednesday night after she re-aggravated her groin injury in Tuesday night's win over the Connecticut Sun. The Indiana Fever missed their star again, as they were blown out by the New York Liberty, 98-77, in a game that was never all that close.
Clark's second season has not gone as she had hoped. A quad injury earlier in the season forced her to miss five games and then not long after that she was forced out with the groin injury.
Earlier this month ESPN's Caroline Peck had a bold take when she said on SportsCenter that the Fever "are more dangerous" without Clark.
Caroline Peck saying the @IndianaFever are more dangerous WITHOUT Caitlin Clark. (I’m keeping receipts now) pic.twitter.com/Tv7ZZgXRYa
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) July 4, 2025
"I think that Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn't play," Peck said on July 3. "Because she's a ball-dominant guard. The ball is in her hands a lot, so you know what you need to try to take away. But when you look at Indiana now, they've got so many weapons.
"When you have a point guard like Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald making plays on the perimeter, and a post like Aliyah Boston, I'm gonna tell you—Indiana, they are a threat. And it's specifically on the defensive end."
WNBA fans haven't forgotten about that take and roasted Peck and anyone who might think the Fever are better without Clark.
“the fever play better without caitlin” yeah i’m so sure you believe that 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/kzMHwUHZlF
— nana (@supeerier) July 16, 2025
The #Fever only have 16 team assists with 3:18 to go in the game against the Liberty. If you think the Fever are better without Caitlin Clark….you don’t know basketball. pic.twitter.com/H9RlIt4zz9
— Jon Hall (@TheRealJonHall_) July 17, 2025
“Indiana Fever is a better team without Caitlin Clark.” LOL.
— Bailee (@baileel12) July 17, 2025
FYI for the “Fever are better without Caitlin Clark” clowns. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/XF7FaffkeC
— Leigh Lewallen (@leighlew3) July 16, 2025
“The Fever are better without Caitlin Clark.”
— Carter Momon (@TheKingCartier) July 17, 2025
It’s absurd to think that people ACTUALLY believe that.
They are LOST without Caitlin.
You don't know ball if you actually believe the Fever are better without Caitlin Clark.
— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) July 17, 2025
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Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.