Caitlin Clark is looking to drop her usage rate some in 2026.
The Indiana Fever superstar Clark spoke with reporters during media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Wednesday. During her remarks, Clark revealed that she plans to make a noteworthy change for the 2026 WNBA season.
Clark said that she wants to play off the ball more often. She cited the physical toll that facing constant full-court pressure as a ball-handler takes on her.
“It is exhausting, bringing the ball up 94 feet vs. pressure every single time,” Clark said, per Kareem Copeland of ESPN. “So we certainly need to find somebody that can handle the ball a little bit and give me a little bit of a break.
“‘I’m the best transition player in the league,” added Clark. “That’s where I thrive. Everyone knows that’s my game. So getting the ball off a rebound in transition, that’s probably when I’m going to be a primary ball handler more than anything. So I think there’s a lot of different things that can give us a lot of different looks and just make us harder to guard.”
Clark, 24, had her sophomore WNBA season in 2025 derailed by injuries. Thanks to both quad and groin problems, she appeared in just 13 total games and experienced decreased efficiency (with underwhelming shooting splits of 37/28/82) even in the games that she did play in.
Opposing teams love to be extra physical with Clark, and she will obviously be the undisputed focal point of any defensive gameplan that she faces. As Clark looks to prioritize her health and a reduced workload as she returns to action in 2026, Fever teammates like Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, and first-round draft pick Raven Johnson may have to lift her up in that regard.
