The Indiana Fever are in a brief lull, with their next game not until Friday against the WNBA’s top team, the Minnesota Lynx (28-5), followed by a rematch in Minnesota on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Their recent 99-93 overtime victory against the league’s bottom-ranked Connecticut Sun on August 17 came at a steep cost: Sophie Cunningham, the team’s second-most popular player behind Caitlin Clark, suffered a season-ending injury in the second quarter. Cunningham joins guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald on the sidelines, all sidelined for the 2025 season, highlighting concerns about the Fever’s medical and training staff.
Caitlin Clark herself has battled three injuries this year-a stark contrast to her injury-free four years at Iowa and her rookie WNBA season. Despite these setbacks, first-year coach Stephanie White has kept the Fever competitive, boasting a 19-16 record and a likely playoff berth. The silver lining? Clark’s return from a groin injury appears imminent, though her recent form before the injury-a dip below 15 points per game-raises questions about her readiness.
Fever’s Roster Shake-Up Fuels Clark Return Speculation
Recent roster moves have ignited speculation about Caitlin Clark’s comeback. On August 18, the Indiana Fever made waves by releasing guard Kyra Lambert just days after signing her to a seven-day hardship contract on August 14. With Clark sidelined by a groin injury and Colson and McDonald out for the season, Lambert was brought in to bolster the point guard position but saw only a minute of action against the Sun.
The Fever’s decision to extend Odyssey Sims’ contract and cut Lambert suggests a strategic choice, likely tied to Clark’s impending return. Fans are abuzz, interpreting the move as a sign that Clark, who has missed 13 straight games and 24 total this season, including the Commissioner’s Cup final and All-Star Game, could be back soon. The timing of the roster change, coupled with the team’s break before facing the Lynx, has heightened anticipation for Clark’s return to the court.
Can Clark Lead Fever to a Playoff Breakthrough?
With seven games remaining after this weekend’s matchups against the Lynx, a healthy Caitlin Clark returning for the final four or five games could ignite a deep playoff run for the Fever. If Clark rediscovers her form, the team could emulate their 2015 season, when coach Stephanie White guided Indiana to the WNBA Finals, only to fall short. The challenge lies in the team’s depleted rotation, with Cunningham’s injury leaving them shorthanded.
Clark’s last five games before her injury saw her averaging under 15 points, a dip from her usual star-level production. Yet, Clark has a history of shining in clutch moments, and her return could be the spark Indiana needs.
The Fever’s ability to maintain their playoff-contending form under White’s leadership, combined with Clark’s potential to elevate the team, sets the stage for an exciting postseason push. Fans eagerly await an official update on her return date, hoping the star guard can lead Indiana to a breakthrough in 2025.
Read the full article here
