Caitlin Clark's potential return to the Indiana Fever lineup this weekend remains uncertain as she recovers from a strained left groin. The highly anticipated rookie has missed the past four games due to the injury, and the team is taking a cautious approach to her return.
Fever coach Stephanie White addressed Clark's status on July 4th, stating that while Clark has participated in "semi-live shooting drills" and some 3-on-3 work, she hasn't yet practiced at full speed with live defensive pressure. White emphasized the priority of Clark's long-term health and wellness, indicating that she wants to ensure Clark is "100%" before she returns to game action.
One factor influencing the decision is Clark's aversion to minutes restrictions. "I think the biggest thing is, she's stated she's not a fan of minutes restrictions. If there's gonna be a minutes restriction, maybe we'll hold her another game," White said. The coaching staff will evaluate Clark again on the morning of July 5th to assess her progress and make a final decision.
As of July 5th, it has been announced that Caitlin Clark will miss her fifth consecutive game.
The Fever have demonstrated their ability to win without Clark, securing impressive victories against the Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces in her absence. This success has alleviated some of the pressure to rush Clark back onto the court.
Clark's teammate Natasha Howard has offered advice to Clark, suggesting she doesn't have to carry the entire load for the team. Howard emphasized that Clark has "great teammates and phenomenal players around you that can take that weight off your shoulders".
Clark's absence has been a disappointment for many, as she was expected to be an MVP candidate and lead the Fever to WNBA championship contention. In the nine games she has played, Clark has averaged 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. She was also named one of the two captains for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, earning her second consecutive All-Star selection.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding her immediate return, it appears that Clark's return is on the horizon. When she does come back, the Fever and their fans will be eager to see her back on the court, contributing to the team's success.
