At 12-11, the Indiana Fever are smack dab in the center of the WNBA playoff race. However, star guard Caitlin Clark has missed considerable time this season, making it much more difficult for the Fever to stay afloat. Clark was even forced to miss All-Star festivities nursing a groin injury.
Given the Fever’s record this year is a subpar 4-6 without Clark in the lineup, an extended absence could spell the end of Indiana’s playoff hopes. The Fever’s schedule is brutal coming up. Three of their next four games are against teams currently in playoff position in the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and Phoenix Mercury. If Clark misses substantial time, she might not return to a playoff contender.
Here is the latest news regarding Clark’s availability for the Fever’s first game since the All-Star break:
Caitlin Clark injury updates
Caitlin Clark has been ruled out for Tuesday night’s game against the Liberty.
Fever coach Stephanie White had previously stated that she did not expect Clark to be available for Tuesday’s game. White did not offer a timetable for Clark’s return.
‘We’re just going to continue to take it one day at a time and let her get her evaluations early this week. And once we have that, hopefully, we’ll have a clear mind on what that looks like,’ White said Monday afternoon.
Clark will still travel with the team to New York for the game.
How did Caitlin Clark get injured?
Clark suffered a groin injury late during the Fever’s 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun on July 15. Clark recorded an assist to Kelsey Mitchell but was seen grabbing her groin as she headed back up court. She was promptly subbed out and has not returned to action since.
After Tuesday’s game, Clark will have missed 11 of the Fever’s 24 games this season. She did not miss any time her rookie season or throughout her collegiate career at Iowa.
The Fever are 4-6 without Clark in the lineup, while boasting an 8-5 record with Clark playing.