The clock is ticking for the Indiana Fever. With four games left and their superstar still sidelined, every possession matters in what could define their entire season. Three devastating injuries would crush most teams’ championship dreams, but the Fever have somehow clawed their way into playoff position.
The question isn’t whether they’re tough enough to survive without Caitlin Clark — it’s whether they can hold on long enough for her to save their season.
Is Caitlin Clark Still Out With Injury?
The Fever face a brutal test against the Phoenix Mercury in their next matchup, and Clark’s continued absence makes an already difficult game nearly impossible. Fever writer Chloe Peterson shared earlier today that Clark, along with Chloe Bibby, will remain on the injury list for the Phoenix game.
No changes to Fever’s injury report. Caitlin Clark and Chloe Bibby remain out.
Kalani Brown out for Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/yBXEWULTLI
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) September 2, 2025
Head Coach Stephanie White delivered an extensive update on her superstar’s recovery timeline before last week’s Seattle Storm game, emphasizing that Clark’s long-term health trumps any playoff push. While Clark hasn’t returned to full practice, she’s begun participating in non-contact drills during team shootarounds. However, the nature of her groin injury has forced the coaching staff to proceed with extreme caution.
“I want to see her in practice, live in practice,” White said. “I want to see her to continue to work to not just build endurance, but to be able to handle contact 94 feet as it’s going to be in game, and to be able to do that and sustain from an endurance standpoint, and that’s going to take multiple practices to make sure that there’s no regression. As most of us know, when we get fatigued, we look different. [We need to see] how she plays through fatigue.”
Clark has missed 27 games during the 2024-25 campaign, a staggering number considering she never missed a single game due to injury during her WNBA rookie season or throughout her four years at Iowa. Groin strains, particularly those affecting the adductor muscles, carry a notorious reputation for recurring setbacks. With Clark having also sustained a left groin injury earlier this season, the medical team’s cautious approach becomes even more understandable.
White has been crystal clear about her expectations before Clark returns to game action. She needs to see Clark participate in full-contact, live practices that simulate game-level intensity before clearing her for WNBA competition. Given Clark’s reputation for absorbing physical punishment from opponents, the Fever want absolute certainty that she can handle any contact upon her return. With the playoffs approaching and intensity levels set to skyrocket, there’s no room for setbacks.
Although Clark is expected to return before the regular season finale, her playoff availability will largely depend on how her teammates perform in these crucial final games.
Can the Fever Secure a Playoff Spot Without Their Superstar?
Indiana currently holds the seventh playoff position, but the Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks are breathing down their necks with legitimate threats to steal their postseason berth. The ninth-place Sparks have played one fewer game than Indiana, meaning a victory in their next outing would vault Los Angeles above the Fever in the standings.
However, considering the brutal schedule awaiting the Sparks, they’re unlikely to maintain any sustained pressure on Indiana’s playoff position.
Seattle faces similar challenges with the New York Liberty and the red-hot Golden State Valkyries remaining on their schedule for the season’s final two games. While the Fever need two victories to guarantee their postseason spot regardless of other results, they’ve been handed two extremely favorable matchups to accomplish exactly that goal.
Following their Phoenix test, Indiana will face the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics in back-to-back games that should provide the path to playoff security. The teams’ dismal 2-8 and 2-8 records, respectively, over their past 10 games signal a favorable route to the postseason.
The Minnesota Lynx represent the only remaining challenge, meeting the Fever in the regular season finale when Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve might opt to rest MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier with the top seed already locked up.
That final game could mark Clark’s triumphant return to action. If her teammates haven’t already secured the playoff spot, the franchise cornerstone will have the perfect opportunity to complete the mission herself.
