The Indiana Fever delivered disappointing news to fans this week, announcing that star guard Caitlin Clark will be sidelined for at least two weeks due to a strained left quadriceps. Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, had been off to a strong start in her sophomore season, averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 2.8 made three-pointers per game across 34.9 minutes.
Clark’s absence will have a major impact on the Fever, as she’s been the team’s central playmaker and primary offensive engine. With her sidelined, the Fever will need to quickly adapt their offensive strategy, especially with key Commissioner’s Cup games approaching.
What Happened to Caitlin Clark?
While the exact moment of Clark’s injury isn’t clear, it appears to have developed gradually rather than from a single incident. She had previously been dealing with a left leg issue during the preseason, which caused her to sit out Indiana’s first preseason game on May 3 against the Washington Mystics. That said, she returned the very next day to face Brazil’s national team in a special exhibition game in Iowa City. In that matchup, she logged 19 minutes and tallied 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, a block, and four threes.
Clark then played in Indiana’s May 10 preseason finale against Atlanta and seemed fine to begin the regular season. However, following a 38-minute outing in a narrow two-point loss to the New York Liberty on May 24, Clark underwent an MRI that revealed the quad strain. Head coach Stephanie White clarified that this new injury is unrelated to Clark’s earlier leg discomfort from preseason.
When Might Clark Return?
The initial diagnosis calls for Clark to be out for at least two weeks, meaning she will miss a minimum of four games. These include matchups against the Washington Mystics (May 28), Connecticut Sun (May 30), another game versus the Mystics (June 3), and the Chicago Sky (June 7). However, this timeline is only until Clark’s condition is re-evaluated. There is a possibility that she could be sidelined longer, depending on her recovery and how the strain heals.
How Will the Fever Fill the Void?
To compensate for Clark’s absence, head coach Stephanie White announced that veteran guard Sydney Colson will step into the starting lineup. Colson, who joined Indiana as a free agent this offseason, brings valuable championship experience from her time with the Las Vegas Aces, where she won back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023. Despite limited playing time this season—averaging just eight minutes across three games—Colson is expected to take on a much larger role with Clark out.
Additionally, the Fever will rely more heavily on Sophie Cunningham. Acquired in February through a massive 10-team trade, Cunningham had missed the early part of the season due to a preseason ankle sprain. Since returning, she’s averaged 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 three-pointers over 20 minutes per game.
Kelsey Mitchell, one of Indiana’s core starters and a 2023 All-Star, will be looked upon to shoulder a greater scoring load in Clark’s absence, especially given Colson’s limited offensive output. Another bright spot for the team has been Lexie Hull, who has averaged 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers through four games. Her steady performance could help stabilize Indiana’s backcourt while Clark recovers.
Although Clark’s injury is a significant setback, the Fever have built a deeper roster this offseason and may have enough talent to stay competitive during her recovery.
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