Caitlin Clark‘s absence from the Indiana Fever has stretched on for weeks, with the star guard sidelined for much of her second WNBA season.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick has dealt with multiple injuries this year, featuring in just 13 games under coach Stephanie White.
Even without her, Indiana has managed to stay competitive, winning six of its last eight games. Still, Clark‘s presence could be critical if the Fever are to mount a serious playoff run alongside standouts Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston.
This week, however, an unexpected development caught the attention of fans – and raised eyebrows – when the WNBA’s official injury list labeled Clark as a “game-time decision” for Tuesday’s matchup with the Dallas Wings.
Surprise listing fuels speculation
The last time Clark suited up for Indiana was on July 15 against the Connecticut Sun, making the sudden status change surprising. With no formal announcement from the Fever, the listing left many puzzled over whether the 22-year-old was close to a return.
Some fans saw it as a potential hint. “If she plays it’s going to be like 12 minutes, which is plenty enough for me,” one wrote online. Another added, “Ooooh this was my guess on her return.”
Others were more skeptical, suggesting the update might be about fan interest rather than basketball readiness. “Trying to keep people in the stands and watching,” a commenter claimed. “Even if they let her play 5 minutes, seats will be filled and millions will watch.”
More cautious supporters urged patience. “Let’s pump the breaks,” one fan posted, noting that while Clark has reportedly been running full court since early August, it is unlikely she has had much full-contact practice. “I still think we are looking at towards the end of Aug,” they added.
Adding to the confusion, some pointed out that the ESPN app initially listed the Dallas game as Clark‘s potential return date, before later changing her status to “out.”
It’s important to note that the WNBA’s injury reports are supplied by RotoWire, which uses only three designations: Out, Out for Season and Game-Time Decision. Without a direct update from the Fever, the “game-time decision” label may not reflect her true readiness.
No official word from Indiana
The Fever have not confirmed that Clark is nearing a return, and an official update is expected ahead of Tuesday’s game. For now, the team continues to list her as day-to-day.
Clark has averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists this season, showing her value as both a scorer and facilitator. In her most recent outing against the Sun, she recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a Fever victory.
Indiana hosts Dallas at 7:30 p.m. ET, but despite the buzz created by the WNBA’s injury listing, fans may want to temper expectations. Until the team makes an official announcement, a return for Clark appears unlikely – though her eventual comeback could be the boost Indiana needs for the playoff push.
Read the full article here
