The Indiana Fever are facing a significant challenge early in the 2025 WNBA season as star guard Caitlin Clark has been sidelined due to a left quadriceps strain.
The injury occurred during the team’s 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty on May 24, and Clark is expected to miss at least two weeks of action.
This marks the first major injury of Clark‘s professional career, raising concerns about her long-term health and the team’s performance without her.
Fever’s cautious approach to Clark’s recovery
Head coach Stephanie White emphasized the importance of a cautious and long-term approach to Clark‘s recovery.
“The biggest thing is we’ve got to think long-term,” White stated. “We’ve gotta make sure we’re not putting Caitlin at risk for injury. We’re not putting our team in a position where we’re thinking short-term and not long-term.
It’s a long season, four more games than last season. So we want to make sure that we’re extra cautious and put her health and wellness first and foremost.”.
Clark, who has not missed a game since high school, reported the injury herself, allowing for early detection and treatment. White praised Clark’s honesty in reporting the issue, expressing relief that it was caught early to prevent chronic complications during the season.
Impact on the team and upcoming schedule
Clark‘s absence places additional pressure on her teammates to step up in her absence. The Fever will rely on players like Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, Lexie Hull, and Sophie Cunningham to fill the void left by Clark’s injury.
Mitchell is expected to take on a larger role in the backcourt, while Boston will be counted on to provide leadership and scoring in the frontcourt.
The Fever’s upcoming schedule includes games against the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, and Chicago Sky. The June 7 matchup against the Sky, featuring a potential rematch between Clark and Angel Reese, is particularly anticipated. However, with Clark sidelined, her teammates will need to rise to the occasion to keep the team’s momentum going.
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