Caitlin Clark is yet again back on "day to day" status with the Fever, Stephanie White said during an appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today" Monday. That's news that isn't necessarily pleasing to the ears of fans, but White is making it clear that when it comes to Clark's recovery, she's not taking any chances anymore.
Clark is currently sidelined with her fourth injury of the season, a reality that's been met with frustration and grim acceptance by nearly everyone involved. White added that there is "no timetable on it" and Clark is "going through the rehab process." Once she's through that, she will still have to be reintegrated into a team that's learned to play with and without her on the floor, a process that could take even more time.
White also appeared to hint that the injury is related to the three others Clark's suffered this season (she missed time during the preseason with left quad tightness, then injured her left quad, left groin, and now her right groin). "She tried to come back a couple of times and just had setbacks along the way, so the most important thing for us is Caitlin's long-term health, getting her back to 100 percent before we put her back on the floor," White explained.
Clark has only played 13 games of the season, a fact would have unbelievable only months ago. The 23-year-old never missed a single game in college, and played each game during her rookie season. She's averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
Despite White's update, there is room for a little optimism. During the Fever's 78-74 win against the Storm Holly Rowe offered an update that appeared to make it seem like Clark could come back this month. She's been participating in "full-court running, full-speed running" during the "last four or five days" — a positive sign that she's moving in the right direction, despite not yet participating in "full basketball activities."
Indiana will next meet Los Angeles
The Fever is on a five-game winning streak as the team heads into tonight's match against the Sparks. Los Angeles has beaten Indiana twice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and tonight's game will be something of a test of how they can fare at home (the Sparks are currently 3-9 when playing at the Crypto.com Arena).
Though Clark will be MIA, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston are likely to bring a physical element to the match that will make it dynamic for everyone involved — and that the Sparks will need to be prepared for.