The Indiana Fever will be without their star guard, Caitlin Clark, for at least two weeks due to a strained left quad. The reigning Rookie of the Year sustained the injury during a match against New York last Saturday. If Clark manages to return in the estimated two-week period, she could be back just in time for the Fever's highly anticipated rematch against New York on June 14.
During her recovery, Clark will miss several key matchups, including games against Washington, Chicago, and Atlanta, as well as home games against Connecticut and Washington. The Fever's game against the Mystics has been relocated to the 14,000-seat CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore to accommodate a larger audience, as the Capital One Arena in Washington is currently undergoing summer renovations.
The game at Chicago on June 7 will take place at the United Center, home of the Bulls, and will be broadcast in primetime on CBS, marking a historic first for the network as it airs a WNBA game. This season, Clark's absence is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time she has missed a game, having played all 40 games and both playoff games last season, as well as the first four games this year. Although she did miss Indiana’s first preseason game this year due to a leg injury, her current situation is more serious.
Coach Stephanie White spoke to reporters on Monday, expressing uncertainty about when exactly Clark sustained her injury. She was informed after the game that Clark had “something going on with her leg.” An MRI later confirmed the diagnosis, raising concerns about the impact of her absence on the Fever, who are considered one of the league’s title favorites.
The Fever have had a rocky start to the season, currently holding a 2-2 record in their first four games. In contrast, last season’s WNBA Finals participants, New York and Minnesota, remain undefeated. Both teams displayed resilience in their last games, overcoming double-digit deficits to secure their victories. As a result, New York leads the power poll as the number one team, with Minnesota in second place. The Seattle Storm has moved up to third, while Phoenix ranks fourth. Indiana, Las Vegas, and Atlanta follow closely behind.
In off-court news, the New York Liberty announced the addition of new investors, including prominent figures such as Jack Ma, Karen Finerman, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Karlie Kloss, Gabrielle Rubenstein, and Samantha Lasry. The funds raised will be utilized for the team’s recently announced new practice facility, further enhancing their operational capabilities.
Clark is not alone in facing injury challenges this season, as several other players have also been sidelined. The Los Angeles Sparks have lost Rae Burrell due to a right leg injury and Rickea Jackson due to a concussion. Likewise, the Phoenix Mercury are without star guard Kahleah Copper, who is dealing with a knee injury. Additionally, Washington lost rookie Georgia Amoore to an ACL injury before the season commenced.
This week, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx earned the title of Player of the Week for the second consecutive time. Collier had an impressive performance, averaging 30.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks, helping the Lynx maintain their undefeated status. Other players who received consideration included Jonquel Jones of New York and Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle.
Mark your calendars for the game of the week featuring Los Angeles Sparks at Las Vegas Aces this Friday. This matchup is particularly exciting as Kelsey Plum returns to Las Vegas, where she played a crucial role in leading the Aces to two consecutive WNBA championships. After being traded to the Sparks during the offseason, Plum has made a significant impact, averaging 24.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.4 steals in the early part of the season.
