Injury Update: Fever Star Closing in on Full Practice
The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark continues to recover as the season comes to a close. The 2024 Rookie of the Year has suffered multiple injuries throughout the season, hoping to recover in time for postseason games. She suffered a right groin strain during the final minutes of the July 15th game against the Connecticut Sun. Since then, she has missed 16 consecutive games and 24 total appearances this season. Earlier in the season, she had also dealt with a left groin injury and a left quadriceps strain, making this her third significant soft-tissue setback. Additionally, during a rehab workout on August 7th, Clark sustained a mild bone bruise on her left ankle. While this did not initially extend her expected recovery timeline, it added another layer of complexity to an already difficult rehab process.
According to Fever head coach Stephanie White, Clark took part in a team walkthrough earlier this week and is actively working to rebuild her endurance. She has begun to participate in low-intensity, non-contact shootaround drills, a meaningful step toward returning to actual practice. The team is attempting to integrate her into smaller-scale drills like 3-on-3 or 4-on-4, to help build Clark’s endurance. Even this has proven difficult due to limited opportunities for full practices this late in the season.
It is unclear when Clark will actually return to the court. Coach White has not divulged an official timeline but hopes that Clark can return before the end of the regular season. While it’s crucial that Caitlin Clark fully recovers before returning to play, her importance to the Indiana Fever cannot be overstated. The Fever are currently tied with Golden State for one of the final two spots in the playoffs and have just six games left to qualify. With Clark healthy and active, the Fever’s chances of securing a spot in the playoffs skyrocket. However, some external opinions believe that Clark should be kept out for the entire season to prioritize her long-term health, especially as there is a high risk of reinjury with groin strains. The Fever will take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday at the Staples Center in California.
