Fever HC leaves fans worried with vague Caitlin Clark injury update

The Indiana Fever’s 85-75 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night was frustrating in every way, but perhaps most of all because their best player wasn’t on the floor. Caitlin Clark was ruled out just before tipoff with a groin injury, and the Fever’s offense once again looked lost as a result.

A double-digit lead entering the fourth quarter quickly turned into a double-digit loss. Unfortunately, it remains unclear when exactly Clark will be back on the court.

Before the game, head coach Stephanie White didn’t do much to ease concerns. She told reporters the team discovered Clark’s injury Wednesday night and labeled the second-year guard as “day-to-day,” but stopped short of confirming whether it was a strain or offering any sort of return timeline.

“She’s tough, and she’s a quick healer,” White said, but with no obvious answers, fans have once again been left in the dark, trying to read between the lines.

Clark’s availability for Friday night’s game against the Dallas Wings is still unknown. Some have speculated that Indiana is being cautious given the back-to-back schedule, but White’s vague update didn’t provide much hope.

When will Caitlin Clark return from injury?

Thursday’s game wasn’t the first time the Fever had to navigate life without Clark this season, but it might’ve been the most frustrating. Clark previously missed five games earlier this year with a quad injury.

Indiana managed to go 2–3 in that stretch, but the offense never truly clicked, and that theme resurfaced against the Sparks with Clark out once more.

Without Clark’s presence, the Fever struggled to generate clean looks or steady half-court offense. They had a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter, only to see it vanish as Los Angeles closed the game on a 35–15 run.

The offense stagnated, and possessions turned sloppy. Aliyah Boston couldn’t find her spots. Kelsey Mitchell finished with a team-best 20 points but was inconsistent much of the night. And while the newly re-signed Aari McDonald was solid off the bench, it wasn't enough to overcome Clark's absence,

Now, Indiana is faced with more uncertainty. Clark’s availability for Friday’s game against Dallas remains unknown, and while fans hope the team was just being cautious with the back-to-back, there’s no clear answer.

What is clear, however, is that, without Clark, the Fever need to find ways to survive on offense. Because if Thursday was any indication, it won’t get easier anytime soon.

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