Caitlin Clark is finally back. After missing all but 13 games last season, the superstar guard is set to return to the court on Saturday when the Indiana Fever tip off against the Dallas Wings in a highly anticipated season opener. Her return has sparked plenty of debate across the WNBA media landscape—and not all of it has been kind.

In the lead-up to the season, Clark has been left off some first-team All-WNBA lists and ranked as low as No. 10 among the league's best players. But one analyst took things a step further, arguing that the Fever were actually harder to defend after Clark went down with an injury.

Former college basketball player and WNBA analyst Lawrencia Moten made the bold claim during a recent ESPN appearance. "Honestly, the Indiana Fever played some of their best team basketball without Caitlin Clark," Moten said. "She’s like the sun that the offense orbits around. The ball is constantly in her hands, which made their offense extremely easy to guard."

Moten continued, "Without her in the lineup, coach Stephanie White had to decide who else was going to get involved. Their offense became so much more diverse. We saw Kelsey Mitchell have a huge season. Lexie Hull stepped up. Aliyah Boston had another dominant year. All because they had to adjust without Clark—and that made them extremely hard to guard."

It's certainly a hot take—but it doesn't hold up against the numbers.

When Clark was on the floor last season, the Fever were noticeably better on offense. They scored more points per game, posted a higher offensive rating, shot more efficiently, and recorded a higher assist rate. More importantly, they simply won more games.

Yes, Mitchell and Hull had strong stretches, and Boston continued to dominate. But the idea that the Fever were a better team without their star point guard? The stats tell a very different story. Clark's return isn't just a boost for Indiana—it's a reminder of just how much she elevates everyone around her.