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Fever's Caitlin Clark Faces Extended Absence, WNBA Playoff Hopes Dwindle

Published 4 hours ago2 minute read
Uche Emeka
Uche Emeka
Fever's Caitlin Clark Faces Extended Absence, WNBA Playoff Hopes Dwindle

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been officially ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season, a decision announced by the Fever on Thursday. The reigning Rookie of the Year and first-team All-WNBA selection will miss the team's final regular-season games and any potential postseason play, having been sidelined for over seven weeks since suffering a right groin sprain on July 15. This marks a significant and frustrating chapter for Clark, who had previously never missed a game throughout her four-year collegiate career at the University of Iowa or during her rookie WNBA season in 2024. Her second professional season saw her appear in just 13 of 41 regular-season games, a stark contrast to her iron-woman past.

Clark's 2025 season was plagued by a series of injuries, beginning even before the regular season officially started. She experienced left leg soreness, described as quad tightness, which kept her out of the Fever's exhibition opener on May 3. Later in May, a left quad sprain forced her to miss at least two weeks, sidelining her for five games from May 28 to June 10, during which Indiana went 2-3. Upon her return on June 14, Clark made a resounding statement, dropping 32 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds against the New York Liberty, showcasing her impact with a series of deep three-pointers. However, this return was short-lived. On June 26, after playing five consecutive games, Clark was ruled out again due to a left groin sprain, an injury discovered after an MRI. She would return on July 9, but her shooting struggles continued, going 1-for-23 from the 3-point line in a three-game stretch before her second sideline stint, and just 6-for-26 (23.1%) from downtown in the four games before her final injury.

The most significant setback occurred on July 15, when Clark suffered the right groin injury in the final minute of a victory over the Connecticut Sun. This injury, where she pulled up while driving and visibly clutched her right thigh, ultimately led to her prolonged absence. Subsequent tests and medical evaluations ensued. By July 17, Clark announced she would miss the All-Star Game and 3-point contest in Indianapolis, citing the need to

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