When Caitlin Clark went down with an injury during a promising season, many assumed the Indiana Fever’s momentum would stall. The team entered the All-Star break with a 12-11 record, and with no clear timetable for Clark’s return, the road ahead looked rocky. Instead of faltering, the Fever have thrived, winning their last five games. This five-game winning streak, their longest of the 2025 campaign, has come entirely in Clark’s absence, providing a major boost to the squad’s confidence. While Kelsey Mitchell has led the charge in scoring, head coach Stephanie White credits another player as the team’s anchor: Aliyah Boston.
What Makes Aliyah Boston the Fever’s Backbone?
Speaking to the media after Indiana’s recent win against the Seattle Storm, White emphasized Boston’s “huge” role for the team, calling her the foundation of their success.
“She’s really the rock of our team, you know. She’s even-keeled, she’s high IQ. Everybody trusts her on both ends of the floor and she’s our backbone,” White said.
“She’s really the rock of our team.”
head coach Stephanie White on Aliyah Boston this season. pic.twitter.com/7zhGQbo9xc
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 3, 2025
The Fever coach was full of praise for Boston, highlighting how the third-year forward’s versatility has been a critical asset throughout the season. White explained how Boston’s role has evolved significantly since she entered the league.
“She came into this league predominantly playing on the low block, getting a lot of post touches when she was in college and her rookie year. Then last year, her first year with Caitlin, playing a lot in the two-man. And then this year we’re asking her to be a facilitator as well and, you know, a hub for us on the offensive end of the floor while being more versatile on the defensive end than she probably has ever been,” she said. “She’s just continued to step up to the challenge and grow and be better.”
Boston, who fit admirably alongside Clark after the guard’s arrival in 2024, has continued her impressive play. Not only has Boston served as Coach White’s ‘Swiss Army knife’ this season, but she has also been incredibly durable, having not missed a single game. The forward has averaged 15.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists this season, helping steady the team during a rough first half.
However, Boston’s biggest contribution has been her seamless transition into the facilitator role. Her crisp decision-making has been essential to the team’s offensive flow.
“When teams key on her defensively and they’re not allowing her to get scores, she finds the open player and she makes the right play. And that’s huge for us,” said White.
This ability to distribute the ball has elevated the play of those around her. So while Mitchell might be the team’s leading scorer, Boston’s playmaking improves the quality of shots for her teammates. Fans will hope Boston and Mitchell continue their heroics in Clark’s absence and keep this winning streak going as the team’s next challenge awaits them in Los Angeles.