Caitlin Clark Injury Sends Shockwaves Through Indiana Fever’s Season
The Indiana Fever’s worst fears have come true—Caitlin Clark is out with a long-term injury to her left leg. The setback is even more painful as it follows a controversial 90–88 defeat to the New York Liberty, a game filled with drama and high stakes. For a team and fanbase already on edge, this injury has cast a dark shadow over the rest of the season.
Caitlin Clark has suffered a left quadriceps strain and will be out a minimum of two weeks.
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— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 26, 2025
Clark had been in top form, showing off her signature deep three-pointers and impressive playmaking, even logging another double-double. Despite her effort, the Fever couldn’t clinch the win, with Clark getting the ball stolen by Natasha Cloud in the final seconds. Now, things have gone from disappointing to dire: Clark is expected to be out for at least three weeks due to a left quadriceps strain. Though it’s categorized as a grade 1 injury, which normally heals in around two weeks, the team is expected to be extra cautious given Clark’s earlier leg issues and the physical strain of recent games.
Clark has been playing heavy minutes—around 35 per game—and recently faced one of the league’s toughest defenses in the Liberty. Her workload may have contributed to this injury. The Fever are playing it safe, not wanting to risk a recurrence, especially after observing how injuries like Breanna Stewart’s Achilles in 2019 worsened when recovery was rushed.
This marks the first time in Caitlin Clark’s entire college and professional career that she will miss a game. She had played and started in all 139 games at Iowa and the first 46 games of her WNBA career, creating an incredible streak of 185 consecutive appearances. That streak now ends.
Earlier in the preseason, Clark had already been flagged with a left leg injury, which was vaguely described. She admitted to some “tightness” but returned quickly and played on. While this new injury affects the same leg, it’s reportedly not the same issue, though the two may be connected due to her continuous play and insufficient rest.
This development will force Indiana’s head coach Stephanie White to adjust game plans significantly, especially with questions already swirling around the backup point guard role. Without Clark, the team may turn to either Sydney Colson or Sophie Cunningham to fill the void. Cunningham had played some point guard during preseason and could be the likelier choice to step into the starting role. Although she lacks Clark’s creativity and scoring threat, her playing style aligns with the Fever’s system and could provide some stability. Colson, meanwhile, may rotate into the role despite limited minutes this season. Her college background included some hybrid guard duties, so there’s potential if she can adapt quickly.
Clark’s absence is expected to span at least four games: against the Connecticut Sun (May 30), Washington Mystics (June 3), Chicago Sky (June 7), and possibly a fourth depending on her recovery. The Sun, currently winless, might be manageable, but the game against Washington presents a real challenge with rising rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, plus veteran Brittney Sykes. Clark may aim for a return against Chicago, but the coaching staff will likely err on the side of caution.
Even in her absence, the Fever must avoid overreacting. Making drastic lineup changes could disrupt team chemistry and compound their problems. The best path forward is to trust the existing system, rely on the depth of the squad, and maintain belief in their core strategy. While Clark’s injury is a major setback, the season is not necessarily lost—how the team adapts could define their year.