Caitlin Clark Has 'No Excuses' About Schedule After Loss to Liberty: Fever Takeaways

The Indiana Fever dropped the front end of a back-to-back to the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on Saturday. The Fever trailed for much of the game but fought their way back into it late, ultimately coming up short 109-102.

A big reason they were unable to secure the win was the free throw line. Indiana was only 11-22 as a team.

This was the Fever's fourth game on a five-game road trip, all taking place over eight days. The final stop is in Chicago on Sunday. So it would be reasonable to wonder if fatigue has played a factor in Indiana's two-game losing streak that started in Dallas against the Wings on Thursday, and that followed a five-game winning streak.

However, Caitlin Clark offered no excuses about the schedule after, and even spun the circumstances into a positive.

"I mean, there's no excuses. Yeah, our schedule's tough. I think we play more back-to-backs than just about anybody in the league. But, it is what it is. And Chicago's playing really good basketball. I think for us we have to look at it in a positive way. We're coming off a loss. It's a great opportunity for us to go and finish this road trip on a win. That's how I see it," Clark said.

Fever Lose Rebounding Battle and Little Things

The Liberty got a boost with the return of Leonie Fiebich and Jonquel Jones from injury. Fiebich bolsters their perimeter defense and provides length and outside shooting. While Jones is a force on the interior and another shooter as well.

This helped New York to a 34-27 advantage on the boards.

There are also some other areas the Fever can clean up, even on the offensive end. On several occasions they missed open shooters and Clark has not been found on relocation or off-ball looks at times across the last couple games.

Lexie Hull alluded to this with me pregame when I asked her about how the potent offensive attack can still improve.

"I think there's times where we get tunnel vision. I think there's times where there are better shots available. Again, we have so many threats. But for us it's finding the easiest shot, the most open shot," Hull said.

Those threats, namely the team's Big 3 of Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell did combine for 68 points in the loss.

Myisha Hines-Allen Leaves With Injury

Coach Stephanie White had no update on the status of forward Myisha Hines-Allen, who left the game late holding her arm and headed straight to the locker room. Hines-Allen has made some key contributions at times this season, so her injury is something to monitor.

There is no rest for the weary, as the Fever take the floor against the Sky exactly 24 hours after tipping off against the Liberty.

Add us as a preferred source on Google