Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has subtly revealed insights into how to strategize against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. In a recent game, the Valkyries secured an 88-77 victory over the Fever, showcasing a defensive game plan that stifled Clark, holding her to just 11 points.

Nakase, in the post-game press conference, explained the approach: "We were being disruptive. We know she doesn't like physicality,". The Valkyries focused on preventing Clark from getting into a rhythm and ensuring she faced multiple defenders. This involved aggressive blitzes on ball screens, forcing the ball out of Clark's hands and disrupting her favored left step-back. Nakase noted she had observed Clark's tendencies since her college days at Iowa. She also pointed out that Clark's comfort with shooting from the logo meant defenders needed to pick her up higher on the court.

The Valkyries' strategy proved effective, as Clark had her worst shooting game of the season, making only 3 of 14 field goal attempts and missing all seven of her 3-point attempts. This defensive pressure and physicality made Clark uncomfortable and prevented her from getting to her preferred spots.

While Nakase's comments highlighted a specific approach to containing Clark, decoding the Indiana Fever as a whole appears to be a more ambiguous task. The Fever's performance can be inconsistent, and their success isn't solely dependent on Clark's performance. Other players need to be involved in the offense to create a balanced attack.

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White has been experimenting with strategies to optimize the team's performance. One approach involves staggering Clark's minutes to create advantageous matchups, prevent fatigue, and allow for a stronger emphasis on the team's depth. White has also expressed a focus on maintaining ball movement and getting the ball going from baseline to baseline when Clark is reintegrated into the offense.

Clark herself has been adapting to the WNBA game, taking on more off-ball responsibilities such as sprinting off screens, setting picks, and serving as a decoy. This shift aims to create a more dynamic offense and prevent Clark from having to bring the ball up the court every time.

The Indiana Fever are aiming to build a legacy brand, capitalizing on marketing opportunities that have arisen with Clark's arrival. The team has seen a rise in sponsorships and is investing in a new practice facility. The Fever's strategy also extends to social media, with a multifaceted approach to content creation and community engagement on YouTube.

Despite these efforts, the Fever have faced challenges, and their record has been inconsistent. They have struggled with shooting slumps as a team. The Golden State Valkyries have demonstrated that a focused defensive strategy can effectively contain Clark and disrupt the Fever's offense. However, the broader challenge for the Valkyries and other teams is maintaining that level of execution for the entire game.