While Caitlin Clark and her WNBA peers enjoy a well-earned break after the conclusion of the 2024 season, not all of her Indiana Fever teammates are taking it easy. One of her colleagues has been involved in a heated altercation during an overseas matchup, drawing attention to the intensity that continues in the offseason.
NaLyssa Smith and Kelsey Mitchell have both taken their talents abroad, with Smith joining the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) and Mitchell signing with the Shanxi Xing Rui Flame. Smith, in particular, has quickly made her presence known on the court, but her debut in China wasn’t without drama.
During a preseason game, Smith became embroiled in a confrontation with an opposing player from Inner Mongolia. Leading 94-89, Smith was shoved by her opponent as her teammate lined up for a three-point attempt. In retaliation, Smith grabbed the ball and threw it at the player, who swiftly responded by launching it back. The altercation sparked a brief scuffle, with teammates intervening to prevent things from escalating further. The tension lingered throughout the match, as evidenced by the referee issuing seven technical fouls during the game, a rarity even for a preseason contest.
For Smith, this overseas season follows a turbulent 2024 WNBA campaign, which was statistically the worst of her career. Averaging just 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, the 24-year-old struggled to make an impact. Despite playing in all 40 of the Fever’s regular season games, Smith found herself relegated to a minimal role in the postseason, with former coach Christie Sides opting to give her limited minutes. Following the Fever’s early playoff exit, Sides was replaced by Stephanie White, leaving Smith’s future with the team uncertain.
Entering the final year of her four-year contract with the Fever, Smith’s future with the franchise is up in the air. Kelly Krauskopf, the president of basketball operations for the Fever, has been tight-lipped about Smith’s prospects beyond her current deal. While acknowledging Smith’s talent and importance to the team, Krauskopf refrained from commenting on what lies ahead for the forward. “She’s a part of our team right now, and she’s an important part of the team,” Krauskopf said, leaving her future in limbo for now.
