Without a doubt, the Indiana Fever are going through a tough stretch in the second half of the season, and Caitlin Clark’s absence due to a groin injury has weighed on the results. However, the young star seems closer and closer to returning, igniting hope among fans just as the team fights for a spot in the WNBA playoffs.
According to the Indianapolis Star, Clark increased her participation in practice and worked with the second unit in full-court and shooting drills. Although she remains out of the lineup for the game against the Phoenix Mercury, this is an encouraging sign: typically, when an injured starter trains with the reserves, it indicates that her return to action is near.
After facing Phoenix, the Fever will have three regular-season games remaining, including a key home matchup against the Chicago Sky on Friday night. Every game will be crucial, as the WNBA standings are extremely tight and any slip-up could determine whether Indiana finishes as low as eighth or as high as fifth.
Stephanie White has a strategy
Coach Stephanie White has been clear: Clark’s return will not be rushed. The team understands that beyond the current urgency, their project is designed to build a competitive core that can contend for championships over several years.
“I want to see her in practice, working with intensity, facing contact all over the court, and sustaining the endurance that a real game demands. That takes several sessions to make sure there are no setbacks,”White recently explained.
The strong impact of Clark’s absence
Clark last played on July 15, and since then the Fever have gone 9-9. Although the record doesn’t seem negative, it includes losses to teams outside of playoff positions like the Washington Mystics, Dallas Wings, and Los Angeles Sparks. Those stumbles could prove costly, as the standings are tight and could decide whether Indiana ends up as low as eighth or as high as fifth.
Indiana fans are closely following every report, aware that Clark’s return would not only boost the end of the season but also the locker room’s morale. Her offensive ability and leadership are pieces the Fever have missed and could be decisive in the final stretch toward the playoffs.
For now, the message is clear: Caitlin Clark is getting closer to returning, and her comeback could arrive just when Indiana needs it most.
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