Buzz around Caitlin Clark's injury timeline grows after latest update from Fever

Caitlin Clark will not be returning to the court for Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Dream, Fever Coach Stephanie White told reporters at the team's practice Monday, two weeks after Clark's quadriceps injury was announced. White explained that in addition to healing from the initial injury, Clark also has to be back in top basketball shape before she returns to the floor.

White pointed out that it's one thing for a player to participate in practice, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be ready to "go live." As she put it, part of the task is getting Clark "out there on the floor" and "back into moving patterns and rhythm timing." Both she and Cunningham will continue to participate in the team's practices, but even being out for two weeks means "you've gotta work your way back into being game ready."

The news is disappointing for Fever fans who hoped to see Clark on the floor at the two-week mark, and it also appears to indicate it's unlikely she will play when the Fever takes on the Liberty for the second time on Saturday, June 14.

The Fever's game against the Sun might see Clark return

The Fever will face the Connecticut Sun on June 17, a game that might provide the ideal opportunity for Clark to get back on the floor. Though the Sun beat the Fever in their recent match-up at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the team is still at the bottom of the rankings in the league and are likely the easiest opponents the Fever will have in the near future.

It should also be noted that this is just one possibility. Clark could return next week in limited minutes, or should could return in two weeks at full power. The Fever's top priority is clearly making sure she's 100% ready to go whenever that is, not rushing her back on the court to potentially reinjure herself.

How the Fever will perform against the Dream

Of course, news that both Clark and Cunningham will miss tomorrow's game is bad news for another reason — the Dream, who have already beaten the Fever once this season, stand a strong chance of adding a second victory to their list.

There's one bright light that could keep the Fever from going down tomorrow, and that's the addition of Aari McDonald, who hit the ground running from the moment the team signed her to a hardship contract in early June. McDonald played last season with the Sparks after spending three seasons with the Dream. Though this year's Dream is definitely different than the team McDonald was on, in addition to her performance, she might be able to offer her new teammates insight into their opponent that they didn't have earlier this year.