The Indiana Fever have had a mixed start to the 2025 WNBA season, holding a 2-2 record after the first week. Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark was demonstrating MVP-level play, averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 block per game, despite some recent struggles from three-point range. However, the Fever announced on Monday that Clark has suffered a quad injury, which is expected to sideline her for at least two weeks.

Clark reportedly began experiencing quad pain following a recent game against the New York Liberty. An MRI subsequently confirmed a quad strain. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White stated she was informed about Clark's leg discomfort post-game, leading to the MRI. "We got a message that she had something going on with her leg, and they were getting an MRI, and then we got the word yesterday," White commented.

With Clark out, the team faces the challenge of maintaining their playoff aspirations, placing increased pressure on several players to elevate their performance. Coach White expressed confidence in the team's depth to handle Clark's absence. "I think that’s the advantage of our depth," she said. "Certainly we’d rather have her [Clark] early than late. It’s a great opportunity for our team to find an identity. It’s a great opportunity for our team to play in a different way."

Furthermore, Coach White believes the time off could be beneficial for Clark's development. "I also think it’s a great opportunity for Caitlin to watch the game from the sideline and to grow," she added, highlighting a silver lining to the unfortunate injury.

Among the players expected to step up is Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell, who has quietly become one of the best players in the league and really exploded onto the scene last year alongside Clark, is averaging 17.8 points per game this season. She is one of the team's go-to scorers and will need to be extra aggressive and look to make more plays for her teammates in Clark's absence. Mitchell is shooting 45.2% from the field and 35.0% from beyond the arc, so increased volume could benefit the Fever. Opposing defenses will certainly key on her now as the team's primary ball-handler, requiring coach Stephanie White to free her.

Another veteran, DeWanna Bonner, faces a crucial period to improve her performance. Bonner, one of the most legendary players of this WNBA era, has experienced by far the worst basketball of her career through the first four games with the Fever. After averaging 10 or more points in each of her previous 15 seasons, she is contributing just 2.5 points per contest, with a shooting percentage of a mere 12.5% and no made three-pointers in nearly 100 minutes of play. For Indiana to have a fighting chance, Bonner will need to step up and play like the All-Star she has been in three of the last four seasons.

Lastly, Aliyah Boston, who has been playing lights-out this season with career highs in points (18.5), rebounds (10.8), and blocks, will also see her role evolve significantly. Her impressive nightly stats position her as an All-WNBA caliber player. However, life will change for her dramatically without Clark, with whom she has unbelievable chemistry in pick-and-rolls and two-man games, often receiving tremendous passes for easy baskets. Without Clark to create for her and draw defensive attention, Boston will have to create more open looks for herself. It will be an uphill battle for the third-year post player, but her offseason improvements suggest she is the most likely candidate to step up effectively.