Fever star Caitlin Clark out at
least 2 weeks with left quad strain
[May 27, 2025]
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will
miss at least two weeks after straining her left quadriceps during
Saturday's 90-88 loss to the defending WNBA champion New York
Liberty.
Coach Stephanie White told reporters Monday she wasn't sure exactly
when Clark was injured but was told after the game she had
“something going on with her leg.” An MRI confirmed the diagnosis.
Clark's absence could wind up being a big blow for one of the
league's title favorites.
“Obviously, she wants to play and, obviously, everyone wants to see
her play,” White said following Monday's practice. “But for me, it's
about maintaining perspective. It's making sure that we address this
that doesn't affect the long term, that we take care of it and don't
overpush, don't overexert.”
Clark was not seen with her teammates at the end of practice and was
not available for comment. Team officials said additional updates
will be provided as circumstances warrant.
It's the first time in Clark's career she's missed a game after
playing in all 40 games and both playoff games last season and the
first four games this year. She did miss Indiana's first preseason
game this year with a leg injury.
Last season's WNBA rookie of the year finished with 18 points and 10
assists Saturday but lost the ball on Indiana's final possession as
she tried to take a 3-pointer that could have won the game in the
waning seconds.
Afterward, White complained that New York was not called for a foul.
Clark is averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds this
season as the Fever have opened with a 2-2 mark. Indiana returns to
action Wednesday at Washington and Clark is expected to miss that
game as well as home contests against Connecticut and Washington and
Indiana's rematch at Chicago on June 7 against Clark's rival, Angel
Reese.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives on New York Liberty
guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) in the second half of a WNBA basketball
game in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael
Conroy)
The league's top drawing player could miss
additional time, but the Fever seem more capable of winning without
Clark this season after using the offseason to bring in a large
group of veteran players with championship experience.
It's unclear just how the Fever will try to replace Clark's
play-making ability.
“Sometimes great players don't tell you when they're hurting,” White
said. “I'm glad that she did because we need to nip this in the
bud.”
Clark set a single-season league record last season with 337 assists
after leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to back-to-back national runner-up
finishes in college.
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