Troublesome second year for Caitlin Clark in WNBA, as injuries complicate matters for the Fever and the player herself
The Indiana Fever's season has taken an unexpected turn with the announcement that star player, Caitlin Clark, will not return to the court for the rest of the 2025 WNBA season due to injuries. Clark, who led the Fever to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and won Rookie of the Year, has been limited to 13 games this season due to various injuries.
Clark's absence is a significant blow to the Fever, who as of Thursday, were 21-20, sitting in eighth place, just 1 ½ games up on the Los Angeles Sparks for the final playoff berth. Her shooting slump, which included a streak of 140 games with a made 3 that ended when she failed to make a 3-pointer in a May 22 win over the Dream, has also impacted the team's performance. Clark averaged 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 8.8 assists during the games she played this season, but shot 36.7% from the field, including 27.9% from 3-point range. On the road, her shooting percentage dropped to 27.9%, going 2 of 35 from downtown.
Clark's injury is expected to negatively impact the ratings for the 2025 playoffs and has caused the Fever's championship odds to plummet to +4500 at Caesars. The Fever brought in half a dozen new players, including veterans DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Sophie Cunningham, in an attempt to fill the void left by Clark's absence.
Meanwhile, Stephanie White, who was named the Fever's coach during the offseason, has not been reported to have been hired by any team in 2025 in the available search results. The Fever also announced plans for a new practice facility, which is expected to provide the team with much-needed resources as they navigate the remainder of the season without their star player.
Clark's historic collegiate career at Iowa propelled her to immediate success in the WNBA. She finished fourth in MVP voting and became the first rookie to make the All-WNBA First Team since Candace Parker in 2008. Despite her injury-plagued season, Clark remains a popular figure in the WNBA. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert named Clark the "most popular athlete in America."
In a social media post, Clark wrote that she spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, but she will not be returning this season. Fans and teammates alike have expressed their support for Clark, wishing her a speedy recovery and looking forward to her return to the court in the future.
The WNBA broke its single-season attendance record this year, thanks in part to the extended 44-game season. With Clark's return to the court next season, the Fever and the WNBA are hopeful for a strong finish to the 2025 season and a promising start to the 2026 season.
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