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The Indiana Fever’s playoff push continues to accentuate, however the franchise stays with out star guard Caitlin Clark, who remains to be sidelined with a groin harm suffered on July 17 towards the Connecticut Solar.
Clark has now missed 17 straight video games and 25 general this season. Whereas she has lately taken half in pregame shootarounds and staff walkthroughs — together with on Aug. 24 and Aug. 29 — her exercise stays restricted to non-contact drills. Fever head coach Stephanie White has reiterated Clark will want a number of full-contact practices earlier than any return is taken into account.
Indiana Fever Seize Key Street Win
On Friday night time in Los Angeles, the Fever (21-18) strengthened their postseason outlook with a dramatic 76-75 victory over the Sparks (17-20). Odyssey Sims, waived by Los Angeles in July earlier than signing with Indiana on Aug. 10, scored the staff’s closing 5 factors, together with the game-winning runner with 13.6 seconds left.
Sims completed with 21 factors, six rebounds, and three assists, marking her second consecutive 20-point outing. All-Star heart Aliyah Boston anchored the Fever with 22 factors, 11 rebounds, and a career-high six steals. Kelsey Mitchell added 12 factors as Indiana’s magic quantity to clinch a playoff berth dropped to a few with 5 video games remaining.
The Fever proceed their highway swing at Golden State on Sunday earlier than visiting Phoenix on Tuesday. They return residence subsequent Friday towards Chicago.
Cynthia Cooper Urges Persistence
As Indiana fights for playoff positioning, some of the adorned gamers in league historical past is advising warning with Clark’s restoration.
“You’ve obtained to heal,” Cynthia Cooper mentioned throughout an Aug. 30 look on CBS Sports activities’ We Must Discuss. “You possibly can’t undergo a season dipping in, popping out… simply heal. As a result of once we see Caitlin Clark, we need to see the true Caitlin Clark. We need to see you play the best way we all know you might be able to taking part in, with the fireplace you deliver to each single sport and each single competitors, each single matchup. We need to see you shine.”
Cooper added: “So heal, sweetheart. Let your leg heal. So whenever you come out, you’re firing on all cylinders, and also you’re the Caitlin Clark — you’re higher than the Caitlin Clark — we noticed in your rookie 12 months. And hold your thoughts proper throughout this part that it’s important to heal. Simply hold your fireplace going, and be able to step again on the market on the courtroom, each bodily and mentally.”
Lisa Leslie’s Take
Corridor of Famer Lisa Leslie echoed related issues earlier this week, suggesting Clark mustn’t return this season in any respect, even when the Fever safe a playoff spot.
“You need to see Caitlin Clark for the longevity of her profession. I’m simply pondering, me personally, I’d not put Caitlin Clark again on the ground this season,” Leslie instructed CBS Sports activities.
“I’d not put Caitlin Clark again on the ground this season.” @LisaLeslie put her GM hat on when discussing the @IndianaFever star’s harm. pic.twitter.com/psoQN5OuHS
— We Want To Discuss (@WeNeedToTalk) August 26, 2025
Leslie, who handled a deep groin harm throughout her profession, warned of the dangers: “That deep groin harm is nothing to mess around with. It might really feel such as you’ve by no means had it, you make one transfer, one lower — increase — she’s again in the identical spot. I don’t know that it’s value risking it. In the event that they get the eighth spot and also you get into the playoffs, is it actually value Minnesota in Spherical 1? I don’t know. That’s simply my opinion.”
Balancing Caitlin Clark’s Scenario
The Fever’s playoff hopes are inside attain, however Clark’s well being stays a fragile stability of short-term achieve and long-term safety. Her aggressive drive might push for a return if Indiana locks in a postseason berth, however each Cooper and Leslie — two of the sport’s all-time greats — have urged her to prioritize full restoration over dashing again too quickly.
For now, Clark is restricted to mild participation, with no confirmed timetable for her return. Indiana’s postseason run might unfold with out its star rookie, however the franchise is weighing the larger image: guaranteeing Clark is wholesome and able to lead the Fever properly past 2025.
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