The Indiana Fever has gotten off to a ferocious start so far this season, with a 93-58 win over the Chicago Sky and a nail-biter of a 91-90 loss to the Atlanta Dream. Caitlin Clark has grabbed a lot of attention over the team's two games (and justifiably so: she earned a triple-double in the first and a double-double in the second), but she's got a teammate who is proving she also made major offseason gains this year: Aliyah Boston.
Despite the Fever's loss on Tuesday, Boston demonstrated growth across the board. Now that she's settled into the style of play that Clark facilitates as court general, Boston is faster, stronger, and smarter. It's clear she's added muscle and speed to her frame and her game, but she's also improved her overall decision-making — this isn't the same Aliyah Boston that Fever fans met in 2023.
Boston showed signs of transformation last year
Though the Fever got off to a rough start at the beginning of the 2024 season, the team came back stronger after the Olympics break and Boston in particular started to put on a bit of a show toward the last third of the season. As a college athlete at South Carolina Boston's footwork and basketball IQ were always strong, and in the pros she's in better shape and has found a special partnership with Clark.
The Dream's defense put relentless pressure on Clark throughout Tuesday's game, something that might have thwarted her efforts a few times, but that also opened up Boston to complete the team's mission. This is one of the realities the rest of the league will continue to contend with this season: they can guard Clark as closely as they want, they can double or even triple team her if they think it will work, but the rest of the Fever is strong and are prepared to step up and hit baskets when they do.
Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are an impactful duo
There are few point guard/center duos better than Clark and Boston in the WNBA right now. Boston had to completely change and adapt her game after Clark was drafted and began running a tighter and faster scheme than the slower half-court offense she was used to, but she did so brilliantly. Theirs is the kind of dynamic that could serve the Fever for another 10 years if both women are healthy and the team makes the right decisions (Boston's contract will be up one year before Clark's, though there is no indication she would leave the team).
The season is young, but Aliyah Boston seems poised to enjoy a tremendous year.