Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever's star guard, has been sidelined with a left quadriceps strain, but that hasn't stopped her from making headlines and finding new ways to contribute to her team. Recently, the Fever traveled to Chicago for a game against the Sky, and while Clark couldn't play, she certainly made her presence felt, both on and off the court.
Clark confessed to experiencing a mix of emotions during the Chicago trip. Missing the game due to injury was undoubtedly frustrating for the competitive rookie. However, she embraced the opportunity to support her teammates from the sidelines and experience the game from a different perspective. She was seen signing autographs for fans before the game, ensuring they still felt connected to her even though she couldn't play.
The Fever managed a decisive 79-52 victory over the Sky, proving their depth and ability to perform even without their star player. The game drew 1.92 million viewers on CBS, becoming the third-most-watched WNBA game of 2025, further underscoring the team's drawing power, even with Clark sidelined. Clark's influence on the league's popularity is undeniable, as the top-ranked games this season have all featured the Fever.
While in Chicago, Clark revealed a surprising hidden talent: photography. WNBA photographer Bri Lewerke handed Clark a camera, and the Fever star took the opportunity to capture candid moments of her teammates. Lewerke shared some of Clark's photos on Instagram, showcasing the rookie's knack for capturing the spirit and camaraderie within the team. "Sneak peek of Caitlin Clark's pics from Chicago," Lewerke posted, adding, "She's low key nice. This isn't edited at all." Clark responded with a humble, "Not horrible." The photos offered a glimpse into the team's dynamics, featuring Lexie Hull, Aliyah Boston, and Sydney Colson, among others, in various settings, from workouts to group selfies.
Clark's teammates have often reacted with humor and playful banter to her achievements and quirks. Earlier in the season, after Clark hit a deep three-pointer during a preseason exhibition game against Brazil, she jokingly asked teammates Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham if the crowd went wild. Hull and Cunningham hilariously downplayed the moment, keeping Clark humble with responses like, "No one really cared," and "You gotta be better." This lighthearted interaction exemplifies the strong bond and supportive environment within the Fever team.
Clark's competitive spirit remains strong, even while injured. During the game against the Sky, Clark was caught on camera mimicking a travel call after Angel Reese was whistled for the infraction, drawing laughs from nearby fans. This playful jab highlights the ongoing rivalry between Clark and Reese, which has captured the attention of WNBA fans and drawn comparisons to the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry in the NBA. However, WNBA legend Candace Parker downplayed the comparison, stating that comparing Clark and Reese to Magic and Bird is like "comparing apples and oranges".
Despite the positive news and encouraging signs, Clark has been ruled out for the Fever's upcoming game against the Atlanta Dream. Coach Stephanie White confirmed that Clark is making progress in her recovery and is "ready to start ramping back up," but the team is taking a cautious approach to her return.
