The Indiana Fever entered their matchup against the Seattle Storm on August 26 without star rookie guard Caitlin Clark once again.
For a team sitting at 19-18 and clinging to the final playoff spot, her absence looms large. A win over Seattle, who held a 20-18 record at tipoff, could have vaulted Indiana to the No. 6 seed due to their head-to-head advantage.
With just a few weeks of regular-season basketball left, the Fever are fighting to move up in the standings and strengthen their postseason chances.
But the bigger question hovers over whether Clark should even step back onto the court this season.
While fans remain eager for her return, some of the most respected voices in women’s basketball, including Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, believe Indiana would be wise to prioritize the long-term.
Lisa Leslie urges caution over Clark’s return
Leslie, speaking on CBS Sports’ We Need To Talk on August 26, pulled no punches about her perspective: “She could provide an amazing boost. But again, I’m just gonna put my coach’s hat on, my GM hat on. You want to see Caitlin Clark for the longevity of her career. I’m just thinking, me personally, I would not put Caitlin Clark back on the floor this season.”
The three-time WNBA MVP explained her reasoning by connecting it directly to her own past: “The only reason why I say that is because I had the injury that she had. That deep groin injury is nothing to play around with… You can make one move, make one cut, boom, she’s back in the same spot. I don’t know that it’s worth risking it.
“If they get the eighth spot and you get into the playoffs, is it really worth looking at Minnesota round one? I don’t know. That’s just my opinion.”
Her warning underscores the difficulty of managing a superstar’s health versus short-term team aspirations.
The Stakes for Clark, the Fever, and the WNBA
Clark‘s injury-interrupted rookie campaign has tested the patience of Indiana fans who have embraced her as the face of their franchise. Social media buzz reflects both frustration and concern, supporters want her on the floor, but not at the cost of jeopardizing her future.
From the Fever‘s standpoint, rushing her back could bring a short burst of playoff excitement, but a setback could derail her sophomore season in 2026.
Leslie‘s perspective suggests that the smarter path might be playing the long game: protecting Clark’s health now to ensure she anchors the team for years to come.
For the league itself, Clark‘s return would be a major event. Few rookies in history have generated this level of attention, ticket sales, and national TV buzz.
Her presence elevates not only Indiana but also the WNBA as a whole. That’s part of why fans feel torn, they crave her impact on the floor but also want her career safeguarded.
As the playoff race heats up, Indiana will have to weigh immediate competitiveness against the franchise-defining value of keeping Clark healthy. If Leslie’s cautionary words resonate, Fever fans may need to adjust their expectations: the next chapter of Caitlin Clark’s career might not come until 2026.
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