Stephanie White, coach of the Indiana Fever, spoke with Athlon Sports about the groin injury affecting star player Caitlin Clark. Despite Clark’s absence, White led the Fever to their first-ever Commissioner’s Cup Championship, defeating Napesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 on Tuesday night.
The Fever return to regular season play on Thursday at Gainbridge Field House, facing off against A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces, with Clark once again sidelined due to her groin injury. Clark sustained this injury during a June 24 victory against the Seattle Storm and missed the following three games. She has now been ruled out for Thursday’s match, marking the ninth game the former Iowa point guard will miss this season.
Clark had never missed a game throughout her rookie year and her collegiate career at Iowa. Without her this season, the Fever hold a balanced 4-4 record.
On Wednesday, White focused on Clark’s position during practice ahead of the game versus the Aces, assuring that there are no new injury concerns. “She’s eager to play and we’re managing the situation carefully, looking ahead to the games before the All-Star break,” White said.
While the Fever won the Commissioner’s Cup without Clark, they currently sit mid-table in the WNBA standings with an 8-8 record. They will host the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday at 7 PM ET.
Fan Take: Caitlin Clark’s injury is a major storyline for the WNBA, highlighting the impact one star player can have on a team’s success. How the Fever adapt without Clark could shape the league’s competitive landscape and inspire conversations about resilience and depth in women’s basketball.
