The Indiana Fever may have secured their first-ever berth in a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final, but their star rookie, Caitlin Clark, finds herself in limbo just days before the showdown.
Clark hasn’t played since June 24 due to a left groin strain, and head coach Stephanie White confirmed her status remains “gametime” ahead of the July 1 clash in Minnesota.
“I think the most important thing for us is big picture,” White said, emphasising the team’s cautious approach. “No sense in rushing anything. We’ll get her evaluated by the training staff and go from there.”
Clark echoed a similar message on Sunday, sharing that she felt “good” and was approaching her rehab “daybyday.” “Doing everything I can to put myself in a position to play the next game every single time… That’s always my goal is to be available for the next game,” she stated
Fever relies on Clark as Lynx await
The Fever (8-8) punched their ticket to the Cup final by performing well in group play, but far from dominating during the regular season. Without Clark on the court, Indiana posted a 3-4 record, compared to 5-4 when she played.
Minnesota enters the contest as the heavy favourite. The Lynx, led by MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier, are 14-2 and top the league in offensive and defensive metrics. Collier is averaging nearly 25 points per game while anchoring a dominant team effort.
But Clark brings a level of star power and confidence that could tip the balance. In her nine games this season, she’s averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists and 5 rebounds, despite a shooting slump and the toll of multiple injuries.
Her return would be a game-changer for Indiana’s hopes. Clark‘s presence on the court takes pressure off the rest of the roster, most notably teammate Kelsey Mitchell, and forces the Lynx to adjust their game plan.
Clark‘s injury history this season has been a rollercoaster. After playing every game in college and her rookie pro campaign, she suffered a left quad strain on May 26, sidelining her for around three weeks. She missed five games, during which Indiana went 2-3.
Her return on June 14 was electrifying: 32 points, seven threes, nine assists and eight rebounds in a dominant performance against the Liberty. That game marked her first step back-but the subsequent groin injury has paused her momentum again.
Still, Indiana‘s belief in her is steadfast. The Fever insiders are hopeful she’ll be ready for Minnesota, though they’re unwilling to take any risks with her long-term health.
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