The Indiana Fever are battling through a wave of injuries at a crucial point in their season.
While still fighting for a playoff spot under first-year coach Stephanie White, the team has been dealt yet another setback — one involving their brightest star, Caitlin Clark.
Clark, who has already been sidelined since mid-July with a groin injury, is now managing a new concern with her right ankle.
Although the tweak isn’t expected to delay her return further, it adds to the growing list of health scares she’s faced in her young WNBA career.
Clark’s Ankle Worry
On August 7 in Phoenix, Clark tweaked her right ankle during an individual workout.
It happened during the same session where two of her teammates, Sydney Colson (ACL) and Aari McDonald (foot), suffered season-ending injuries.
While Clark’s situation isn’t nearly as serious, it raised questions about whether her recovery might be slowed.
Team officials were quick to ease those worries. “There was no timeline or projected return to play so it’s impossible to say if it was impacted,” a Fever spokesperson explained.
The message was clear — her focus remains on fully recovering from her groin problem, and the ankle incident doesn’t change that.
A History of Ankle Scares
This isn’t Clark’s first run-in with ankle issues.
In May 2024, she rolled her right ankle in a game against the Connecticut Sun and had to be helped off the court before returning.
A similar scare came later that summer when she twisted the same ankle against the Atlanta Dream but played on without a limp.
Clark brushed it off at the time with the kind of grit fans love: “Every basketball player has an ankle injury.
If you don’t, you’re not a true baller. It’ll be stiff, but I’ll be good.”
Long-Term Health Comes First
Despite her competitive spirit, the Fever are taking no chances with their franchise player.
Clark has yet to rejoin full team practice, and no official timetable has been given for her return.
For now, the organization’s stance is simple — give her all the time she needs to get back to 100 percent.
As one of the league’s most marketable stars, her absence has been felt both on and off the court.
Still, the Fever are determined to protect her future rather than rush her back.
Cunningham’s Season Cut Short
Adding to Indiana’s challenges, forward Sophie Cunningham has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s overtime win.
The incident occurred in the second quarter when Cunningham went down clutching her knee before being helped off the floor with a towel covering her face.
Though the Fever did not disclose the exact nature of the injury, they confirmed she is expected to make a full recovery.
Cunningham had become a valuable contributor since arriving from the Phoenix Mercury, averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting a career-best 47 percent from the field and 43 percent from three.
Fighting On in the Playoff Race
Even with Clark sidelined and Cunningham now out for the year, the Fever have managed to stay in the playoff picture at 19-16.
Coach White has kept her squad competitive despite the setbacks, but there’s no doubt the team’s ceiling is tied to Clark’s eventual return.
For now, fans will have to wait a little longer to see their star guard back in action.
The hope is that when she does return, it will be for good — with her groin healed, her ankle steady, and her future as the face of the Fever firmly intact.
