The Indiana Fever, standing at a balanced 4-4 for the season, are slated to compete in their ninth game of the 2025 WNBA season. This time, they are up against the Atlanta Dream in an away game. The match is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, June 10, and it forms part of the revered Commissioner’s Cup.
However, the team will be hampered by the unavailability of Caitlin Clark, who has been sidelined due to an injury. Clark, who is the former Iowa women’s basketball professional, will be sitting out her fifth consecutive game due to a quandary with her quad muscle.
Interestingly, Clark commenced her second year in the WNBA as a favored candidate for the most valuable player award. Despite this, she unfortunately incurred a quad strain in the match against the New York Liberty on May 24, where her team suffered a close defeat with a score of 90-88.
On Monday, Stephanie White, the Fever’s head coach, assure fans by sharing an update on Clark’s condition. She noted that Clark has started to gradually participate in practice sessions, albeit in a restrained capacity. This news, while positive, confirms that Clark will nonetheless be missing the following match.
According to team updates shared, Clark’s unavailability for the upcoming match on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30 p.m. CT is due to an ongoing issue with her left quad. The Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia will witness the action, but will sadly miss Clark’s contribution in the match.
The nature of her injury was initially publicized by the team on May 26, ensuing the disappointment against the New York Liberty, and explained that Clark was dealing with a left quad strain. This would be the second instance of sidelining for the star player due to a quad issue in the same leg, highlighting a certain vulnerability.
The previous occasion when Clark had to sit out of play was during Indiana’s initial preseason game. While the injuries might seem related due to the same affected area, Coach White clarifies that this strain and the previous injury are independent events. Nonetheless, it is undeniably unfortunate to witness such recurrent issues for a player of Clark’s stature.
With regards to her recovery, Clark underwent a comprehensive evaluation post the team’s match on June 7. The assessment results were positive, leading to her active yet limited involvement in practice on the subsequent day, Monday, June 9.
Looking ahead at the roster for the Indiana Fever, they have demanding and exciting games lined up over June. Starting with a home game vs. the New York Liberty at 2 p.m. CT on June 14, a tantalizing rematch after their recent close encounter on May 24.
The Fever will continue to be on their home turf as they face off against the Connecticut Sun at 6 p.m. CT on June 17. As the month progresses, they will hit the road again, playing the Golden State Valkyries on June 19 at 9 p.m. CT.
Their voyage continues as they step onto the court against the Las Vegas Aces on June 22 at 2 p.m. CT. After a two-day gap, they are set to confront the Seattle Storm away at 9 p.m. CT on June 24.
Despite the setbacks due to injuries, Clark’s contribution to the team is undeniable. Her stats for the 2025 season, albeit from just four games owing to the injury, show impressive numbers of 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.25 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. Although she suffered from 5.0 turnovers per match, her shooting was noteworthy with 40.3/31.4/75.0.
Looking back to her inaugural year in 2024, over the course of 40 games, Caitlin tallied an average of 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Her points and contributions extended beyond the court to the team’s morale and game strategy.
However, turnovers seemed to be an area of concern for Clark even during her rookie year, averaging 5.6 per game. Despite this, her shooting prowess stood strong with her making 41.7% of her field goals, 34.4% from three-point range, and an incredible 90.6% from the free-throw line.
For the Indiana Fever, moving forward into the season without Caitlin Clark’s full contribution will certainly be a challenge. Her presence on the court, both as a player and a morale booster, is valuable. However, the immediate focus is on her recovery and long-term health.
Finally, it’s essential to realize that injuries are a part of the sport, and its stars like Caitlin Clark who illuminate the game, even when they have to cheer from the bench. Her recovery and eventual return to the court are eagerly awaited by fans and teammates alike.