Two weeks in the past, Caitlin Clark was sidelined from her Indiana Fever group to relaxation a strained quadricep. The Fever stated she can be out no less than two weeks, after which re-evaluated. Within the time she has been out of the lineup, the Fever have gone 2-2 in video games, struggling to exchange Clark’s offensive load and playmaking capability. Now, on the two-week mark for the reason that damage was introduced, followers might have been hopeful they’d see Clark swimsuit up for the Fever’s Tuesday recreation towards the Atlanta Dream. It looks as if they must wait just a little longer.
At Fever observe this morning, Clark was high of thoughts as reporters gathered to talk with head coach Steph White. White didn’t give them the reply they might have been hoping for, confirming that Clark is not going to be enjoying towards the Dream.
Caitlin Clark is not going to play tomorrow, Steph White says.
She’s not essentially cleared for basketball actions, however prepared to begin “ramping again up.”
Sophie Cunningham was additionally restricted in observe as we speak.
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— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2025
Within the NBA and WNBA, gamers usually want just a little little bit of time (just a few days) after the damage itself has healed to recondition themselves after resting. With Clark, since she was resting her leg, she possible was not doing a lot by means of working, conditioning, or power work, and can want time to step by step improve bodily exercise to forestall re-injury. Based mostly on White’s feedback right here of her being able to “ramp up” however not cleared for basketball, it appears that could be the case right here.
The Dream recreation is the one recreation the Fever have this week earlier than dealing with New York at residence on Saturday, in what might be an necessary and marquee occasion for each groups. The Fever would like to not solely have Clark again but additionally re-enter the championship rivalry dialog. For New York, their undefeated streak could also be in jeopardy if the Fever have Clark again and are enjoying at their peak stage.
But, earlier than they get to that recreation, not having Clark to go towards the Atlanta Dream is disappointing. The Dream (5-3) are in third place within the general WNBA standings, proper beneath the undefeated Liberty and Minnesota Lynx. Allisha Grey gained the WNBA’s Jap Participant of the Month Award for Might, and the group is 3-2 on the street this season. They’ve been discovering a move of each offence and defence underneath Karl Smesko as their coach, wanting the very best the group has in years. Not having Clark to offset the offense that may come from Grey, Rhyne Howard and Brittney Griner, amongst others on the Dream roster, will harm them.
The Fever are 1-1 towards the Dream up to now this season, having misplaced the primary recreation by 1 level regardless of a 27-point recreation from Clark. They performed them once more shortly after, this time Clark shelling out a game-high 6 assists to assist her group win. They are going to miss each her high-volume scoring and passing capability on this third recreation, particularly if Sophie Cunningham additionally stays out for Indiana.
So whereas White’s replace on Clark was imprecise, it appears the Fever star is on the right track. The truth that she is allowed to begin ramping up once more proves her situation is bettering. Speeding it wouldn’t do anybody good, so taking the time to make sure she is wholesome throughout what might be an necessary stretch now for the Fever is right.
Clark herself stated final week that it’s “not price” dashing again to play earlier than her physique is prepared. She additionally confirmed that after the weekend handed, her damage standing can be day-to-day, and that nobody needs to place a precise date on her return. She stated she was in some ache after the final recreation that she performed towards New York on Might 24, which led to her getting an MRI and confirming that she had a pressure in her muscle. As an alternative of specializing in the negatives of not enjoying, she has redirected that vitality to her restoration and being teammate to the remainder of the Fever roster.
Indiana is at the moment at 4-4 on their season, sitting in seventh place within the WNBA standings. They’re at a 4.5 recreation steadiness distinction from the Minnesota Lynx, who sit on the high of the league at 9-0 on their season. Bridging a 4.5 recreation steadiness distinction isn’t too daunting at this stage of the season, however because the Lynx and Liberty simply hold stacking wins, the Fever want to begin making that quantity smaller if they’re going to rise again up within the standings.
Guaranteeing Clark’s long-term well being might be essential to the Fever’s playoff objectives this season, so followers might want to stay affected person as they watch for Clark to re-enter the lineup.