A Fever season that will long be defined by injuries had yet another, very notable addition to the list of players out for the season.
Caitlin Clark, who has not played a game since mid-July after reaggravating a groin injury, announced on social media on Thursday evening that she would not be returning this season. Clark has played just 13 games for the Fever this season with injuries limiting her throughout the year.
At practice on Thursday, Indiana head coach Stephanie White painted a less-than-optimistic picture of Clark’s status following team’s return from a four-game West Coast road trip.
“We really wanted to use this West Coast trip to evaluate [her],” White said. “We’re going to sit down after practice and, hopefully, have a direction soon…We knew that we had a stretch over the weekend to really see where we are. The hope is to sit down and have an answer one way or another.”
During the trip, Caitlin was seen working out with the team during 5-on-0 settings, whether that be during shootaround or in pregame warm-ups. However, White revealed that is the full extent of what she had been able to do.
“She hasn’t been able to do a whole lot of contact,” White said. “She’s been able to get up and down, 5-on-0, been able to get shooting but hasn’t been able to get a whole lot of contact.”
With the end of the season fast approaching, trying to reintegrate Clark into a team fighting for a playoff spot was going to be a tough challenge. Without her, the Fever have adapated to a new style of play, at least as much as they can as they continue to lose players to season-ending injuries.
Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson have all been ruled out for the season for weeks. Before practice on Thursday, the Fever announced that Chloe Bibby, who was signed to a hardship contract to replace one of those players out for the year, also would be out for the season. Even the team’s coaching staff has suffered season-ending injuries.
Clark’s knee injury early in the year forced the team to adjust on the fly. Upon her return, she scored 32 points in a win over the Liberty and helped the team win three of the next five games.
However, a groin injury ruled her out for two weeks, forcing Indiana to adjust again. Once more, her return brought more victories Indiana’s way as the team reeled off three straight wins with Caitlin back. However, in that final win, Clark reaggravated the injury late in the game just days before Indianapolis hosted the All-Star game.
A more deliberate approach in her rehab this time around from the team meant the Fever adapted to life without Clark. However, as the days in the season ticked away, the question of “When would Caitlin Clark return?” shifted to “Will Caitlin Clark return?”
Without her —as well as the numerous other players they’ve lost along the way — Indiana has remained in the playoff race, even if it’s meant fighting for one of the final postseason berths.
It’s a far cry from where they were at the start of the season when the discussion was on being a title contender. But injuries are going to be what this season is remembered for with Clark’s at the top of that list.
