Regardless of the Wings' losing record to this point, this Tuesday showdown was always going to be an uphill battle for Indiana. This is owed to the fact that all three of the team's rostered point guards (Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald, and Sydney Colson) from one week ago are sidelined with injuries (McDonald and Colson's being season-ending).

The Indiana Fever recently lost veteran guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald to season-ending injuries, while All-Star playmaker Caitlin Clark remains out indefinitely due to a groin issue. As a result, the team signed former WNBA All-Star Odyssey Sims to a hardship contract.

By going 10-9 in Clark's absence, the Fever have positioned themselves for a playoff run that maximizes the potential of a season she has missed 60% of. But they are still a much better team with her in the lineup -- and they will need her back at full strength in order to compete for a championship.