Two weeks in the past, Caitlin Clark was sidelined from her Indiana Fever staff 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 interchange Clark’s offensive load and playmaking capability. Now, on the two-week mark because the harm was introduced, followers might have been hopeful they might see Clark swimsuit up for the Fever’s Tuesday sport in opposition to the Atlanta Dream. It looks as if they should wait a bit of longer.
At Fever apply 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 could have been hoping for, confirming that Clark won’t be enjoying in opposition to the Dream.
Caitlin Clark won’t 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 apply at the moment.
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— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2025
Within the NBA and WNBA, gamers usually want a bit of little bit of time (just a few days) after the harm itself has healed to recondition themselves after resting. With Clark, since she was resting her leg, she probably was not doing a lot by means of operating, conditioning, or energy work, and can want time to step by step enhance 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 sport is the one sport the Fever have this week earlier than going through New York at residence on Saturday, in what might be an essential and marquee occasion for each groups. The Fever would like to not solely have Clark again but in addition 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 sport, not having Clark to go in opposition to 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 Japanese Participant of the Month Award for Could, and the staff is 3-2 on the street this season. They’ve been discovering a circulation of each offence and defence beneath Karl Smesko as their coach, wanting the perfect the staff has in years. Not having Clark to offset the offense that can come from Grey, Rhyne Howard and Brittney Griner, amongst others on the Dream roster, will damage them.
The Fever are 1-1 in opposition to the Dream up to now this season, having misplaced the primary sport by 1 level regardless of a 27-point sport from Clark. They performed them once more shortly after, this time Clark allotting a game-high 6 assists to assist her staff win. They may miss each her high-volume scoring and passing capability on this third sport, particularly if Sophie Cunningham additionally stays out for Indiana.
So whereas White’s replace on Clark was obscure, it appears the Fever star is on track. The truth that she is allowed to begin ramping up once more proves her situation is enhancing. Dashing it wouldn’t do anybody good, so taking the time to make sure she is wholesome throughout what might be an essential stretch now for the Fever is good.
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 harm standing can be day-to-day, and that nobody desires to place a precise date on her return. She stated she was in some ache after the final sport that she performed in opposition to New York on Could 24, which led to her getting an MRI and confirming that she had a pressure in her muscle. As a substitute 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 present at 4-4 on their season, sitting in seventh place within the WNBA standings. They’re at a 4.5 sport steadiness distinction from the Minnesota Lynx, who sit on the high of the league at 9-0 on their season. Bridging a 4.5 sport steadiness distinction isn’t too daunting at this stage of the season, however because the Lynx and Liberty simply maintain stacking wins, the Fever want to begin making that quantity smaller if they will 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 look forward to Clark to re-enter the lineup.
