INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 11: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 throws a pass against the New York Liberty on August 11, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA AUG 11 New York Liberty at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26081143
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 11: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 throws a pass against the New York Liberty on August 11, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA AUG 11 New York Liberty at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26081143
Despite averaging career highs, Caitlin Clark remains overlooked by some analysts. WNBA expert Tony East rates Caitlin Clark’s game this season as "underrated."
The Indiana Fever reporter pointed out that the Fever guard has moved past the early-season struggles. Since the breakthrough game against Seattle, Clark has emerged as the league's best offensive player.
“Definitely an underrated year. I think she’s been the best offensive player in the league since she had that 45-10 game against Seattle,” East said. “...that was the first game this season she felt just perfectly healthy and had her full bounce before the game, and everything felt great…”
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 16: Caitlin Clark 22 of Indiana reacts during the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream on August 16th, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA. Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire WNBA: AUG 16 Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260816027
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 16: Caitlin Clark 22 of Indiana reacts during the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream on August 16th, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA. Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire WNBA: AUG 16 Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260816027
On July 18, Clark scored 45 points against the Seattle Storm and also had 10 assists. That turning point marked the moment Clark's season shifted into elite territory.
Averaging 22.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game, Clark brings more to the team than just her scoring. In fact, East considered her the “second-best player in the league.”
“And she’s been, at worst, the second-best player in the league, depending on your interpretation of all this. So, yeah, she’s playing awesome,” East added on the WNBA Today podcast.
Arguably, the bookies' favorite to win her fifth MVP award in seven seasons, Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson, who must be the best player in East's mind.
However, with the playoffs approaching, Clark could heat up the MVP debate by leading the Fever to their first championship in 14 years.
East opened up on Clark’s early-season struggles.
Early-season setbacks: back issues slowed Clark's start
A lingering back issue kept Clark from reaching her best levels at the start of the season. As a result, the WNBA star was struggling against hard defenses.
“I would say in the first couple of months there was that Portland game where they just went at her over and over. And then the Valkyries were like, ‘Hey, Kaitlyn Chen, go at Caitlin every play in crunch time,' East added on the same WNBA podcast.
In May, Clark managed just six points and six assists against Portland. Against the Valkyries, guard Kaitlyn Chen kept a close eye on her to limit her contribution.
Despite weekly injury-report listings, Clark appears fully healthy on the court.
In July, Clark shined against Portland, scoring 26 points and recording 10 assists, playing freely and responding well to their tight defense.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar