INDIANAPOLIS: The relationship between Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, teammates of the Indiana Fever, has been the subject of a lot of discussion. Boston has turned the turnaround and has been producing strong performances since June 13. If the response is that the schedule has become more relaxed, then Boston’s victory over the top-ranked New York Liberty on Saturday was just another fantastic performance.
On Saturday, Clark recorded the inaugural WNBA rookie triple-double. Boston received four of the point guard’s assists. Although Clark has assisted on 53 of Boston’s 79 field goals this season, it is not unusual in and of itself.
Additionally, the Fever have won six of their last nine games, with 17 of those being in the first 13 games. What then is the reason? Did this relationship require more time?
Yes, intrinsically. Only recently has the Clark-Boston pick-and-roll proven to be a viable strategy; opponents have blitzed Clark less frequently. The majority of Boston’s plays appeared to be late in the shot clock back in May, which accelerated the 2023 Rookie of the Year’s sophomore slump. Boston and Clark are doing well now. And so has their friendship as teammates off the court.
After practice, Boston’s good energy was evident in the locker room, as expressed by Clark. She obviously went through it just a year ago, so she has been quite helpful to me during my rookie year. You can definitely feel that our chemistry is improving. The more practice we have together, the better it will get because a lot of stuff has been established through games.
The off-court humor and interventions of Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston
Following a basket against the Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) and guard Caitlin Clark (22) exchanged looks.
USA TODAY Sports’ David Butler II
Boston is someone who you can always count on, according to Clark’s statement on Tuesday. That’s how the series of wacky yet devoted incidents between them came to be. The Fever defeated the Washington Mystics back on June 19. Clark was questioned about his ability to make accurate passes reliably late in games. After describing an incident in which her Boston pass was stolen, her mind went blank.
Boston stepped in, praised her skills, assured her they were fine, and told her not to worry.
Clark expressed gratitude to her.
Three minutes into the press conference two weeks ago in Seattle, Clark answered every question following the game. She then insisted—almost demanded—that reporters interrogate Boston.
Clark was talking modestly about her triple-double on Saturday, and he wasn’t always sure how to answer. Boston then stepped in, complimenting the reporters on Caitlin’s humility and mockingly calling the milestone “pretty cool” and “great job sister!” Then, Boston just shared a humorous work-out vlog featuring her, Clark, and Katie Lou Sameulson on TikTok.
After Tuesday’s practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Samuelson approached the huddle of media and inquired of Clark whether she might expect to see more TikToks featuring Boston. It’s still up to us to find out, Clark joked, adding that she can’t reveal all of her secrets. The incidents don’t stop. Players compete in the Fever’s halfcourt shot challenge to conclude practice before speaking with the media.
Clark eventually made it, but Damiris Dantas made it first.
“You’ve fired six times already!” Boston stated immediately following her miss.