In 2025, the Indiana Fever learned how to play without Caitlin Clark.In 2026, the Fever has perfected and enhanced how they play when Clark isn't available, as was the case on Thursday night against the Phoenix Mercury.MORE: Caitlin Clark’s absence saw Kelsey Mitchell flourish against the MercuryClark on Wednesday made her return from a two-game absence as she recovered from a lingering back problem. Though she was on a minutes restriction in Los Angeles, Clark still found time to miss eight of her 12 shots and record on average one turnover every four minutes in a 106-92 blowout loss to the Sparks.The next night, with Clark resting on a back-to-back, the Fever trimmed their turnovers by nearly 40 percent. Indiana shot 50 percent from the field and won 92-89 against a rested Mercury team.l