Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been sidelined for over a month since injuring her right groin on July 15. While the team has found its rhythm without the guard, head coach Stephanie White has offered an optimistic update on her recovery, even hinting at a possible return date.
White said she “hopes” Clark will return before the regular season ends in 23 days. “The hope is that she’s back. The most important thing is that she’s 100% when she’s ready to come back,” White told reporters ahead of the matchup against Connecticut, according to WISH-TV.
“The timing is never ideal, but long-term health and wellness is the most important thing,” White added, noting that Clark’s setbacks have been the result of trying to rush her recovery.
“I think the experience throughout the year, trying to come back quickly, taught her that she needs to make sure she’s 100%,” White said. She insisted that the team’s main focus after recent setbacks is making sure Clark returns the right way and that her long-term health remains the top priority.
The right groin issue is Clark’s fourth muscle injury this year, after also struggling with her left quad. In total, she has missed 22 games this season. Still, the Fever have managed to find their footing in her absence, leaning on Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston — who recently broke one of Clark’s records.
Indiana Fever’s upcoming matches
After Sunday’s overtime win against the Sun, the Indiana Fever improved to 11-11 in games played without Clark. The team sits sixth in the WNBA standings with just nine regular-season matchups remaining, keeping itself firmly in the playoff hunt.
Clark, who has appeared in 13 games this season, has averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists when on the floor. The Fever’s next test comes Friday, Aug. 22, when they host the league-leading Minnesota Lynx at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. After that, they will have a rematch against the Lynx (Aug. 24), and face the Seattle Storm (Aug. 26) and Los Angeles Sparks (Aug. 29).