Indiana Fever Coach Stephanie White Comments on Caitlin Clark's Replacement
Depth is what makes a basketball team a contender, and that's what the Indiana Fever might have shown on Wednesday when they played against the Portland Fire without their superstar, Caitlin Clark.
The two-time All-Star missed the game because of a back issue she suffered during the season opener against the Dallas Wings. White dismissed notions that the injury is a major setback.
"No, absolutely not. She's healthy. We're not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give time to heal so she'll be ready," the Fever coach said.
Clark's absence was hardly felt as someone stepped up big time for her. White tapped Ty Harris for point guard duties, and the veteran delivered. Harris, who joined the Fever this summer from the Wings, played 29 minutes and, although she did not score, was an effective floor general, dishing out seven assists. She also had two steals.
Aaliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell combined for 45 points to lead the team to a dominant 90-73 victory.
The coach said before tip-off that they anticipated the Fire to do heavy press and so, she turned to an experienced point guard to counter it.
White said she got what she was looking for from Clark's reliever.
Steph White on Ty Harris stepping up having 7asts, 0 TOs in 30mins
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) May 21, 2026
"I thought she did exactly what she needed."
Because she's steady, White had all the confidence that she would step up and handle the ball well against POR's pressure.
Fans on X are very receptive of Harris' performance. One even thought it is a 'statement' game.
The Indiana Fever have put together a solid performance without Caitlin Clark. It's almost as if they came out to make a statement.
— WBB MAYER (@wbbmayer) May 21, 2026
Everyone on the team has gotten buckets except for Ty Harris. But Ty has 6 assists.
Portland, a usually fiery team, has gotten their souls shot…
Pretty special to watch Ty Harris, Aliyah Boston, and Raven Johnson all on the floor together for the Fever
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) May 20, 2026
Three generations of @GamecockWBB national champions
Another fan commented on how Harris complement's Clark's game.
"Ty Harris is a dream point guard for Stephanie White doing all apart frm scoring Unlike CC who is a scorerThe earlier ee accept this d better," user CCbabygoat wrote.
The victory over Fire is Fever's second straight. They are currently 3-2 in the standings, having lost to the Wings and the Washington Mystics.
Related: Indiana Fever Break WNBA Rule With Caitlin Clark Announcement
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 8:24 PM.