Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will miss her fourth consecutive game on Thursday night against the Las Vegas Aces as she continues to recover from a left groin injury. Clark, who last played on June 24, has been sidelined since taking an awkward fall in a win over the Seattle Storm.
The Fever, who recently celebrated an unexpected victory in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup against the Minnesota Lynx, will need to adjust once again without her on the court.
Clark’s Recovery and Team Caution
Clark had participated partially in practice in recent days, but Fever coach Stephanie White emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to her recovery. “My goal has always been the same: I don’t want this to be something that lingers, that we come back too soon,” White told reporters.
“We want to make sure she is 100% ready to go and that we put her long-term health and wellness at the forefront.”
In a recent update, Clark said she was feeling “good” and taking things “day-by-day.” “Doing everything I can to put myself in a position to play the next game every single time,” Clark added, noting that she was working closely with the medical staff to get back to full health.
A Season of Injuries
This injury marks the second time this season that Clark has had to deal with a setback. She had already missed time earlier in the year due to a left quad strain that kept her out for three weeks. Altogether, Clark has missed seven of the Fever’s 16 regular season games. The Fever have posted a 3-4 record without her and are 5-4 when she plays.
Before this season, Clark had been remarkably durable, never missing a game since high school. She had played 185 consecutive games dating back to her freshman season at Iowa before this year’s injuries interrupted that streak.
Fever’s Challenges Without Clark
While the Fever’s recent win in the Commissioner’s Cup was a major accomplishment, it does not count toward their regular season standing. The team is choosing to prioritize Clark’s full recovery, rather than rushing her back for a non-regular-season event.
This is especially important as the Fever head into the second half of the season and continue to battle injuries to other key players like Sophie Cunningham, Damiris Dantas, and head coach White.
The Fever, now sitting at 8-8 and in eighth place, have struggled in recent weeks. They’ll need Clark at close to 100% if they hope to make a push up the standings. As the season progresses, the Fever’s playoff hopes will rely heavily on her health and ability to return to her top form.
Clark’s absence has undoubtedly affected the Fever, but the team is choosing to take the long-term approach to her recovery.
With the midpoint of the season approaching, her health will be a critical factor in whether the Fever can make a strong playoff push. For now, they continue to focus on getting her back to full strength, ensuring her return isn’t rushed.
