Caitlin Clark

Clark was limited to 13 regular-season games during the 2025 WNBA campaign due to a troublesome groin issue. The Fever shut her down for good in September, but her participation Friday suggests that she's since put this issue behind her.

Clark had yet to return to practice after going down with a groin injury in July, and she hasn't been able to bounce back as she'd hoped. This keeps the door open for Odyssey Sims, Lexie Hull and Shey Peddy down the stretch of the regular season. Clark averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 36.7 percent from the field and 27.9 percent from three over 13 appearances during her second season in the WNBA.

Clark has missed 18 straight games with groin and ankle issues. White is holding out hope that the superstar guard will return ahead of the WNBA playoffs. There are only four regular-season games left for Indiana, starting with a matchup against Phoenix on Tuesday and finishing with a game against Minnesota on Sept. 9. Clark has played in only 13 games during the 2025 campaign, averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 36.7 percent from the floor and 27.9 percent from deep.

Clark has been sidelined since July 15 due to a right groin injury and reportedly sustained a "very mild" bone bruise in her left ankle Aug. 7, according to Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com. While there's no clear timetable for the superstar's return to game action, the Fever remain hopeful she will be back before the end of the regular season. In the meantime, Odyssey Sims (groin), Lexie Hull and Shey Peddy are likely to continue receiving a bump in minutes.

Clark has been dealing with a groin injury, which has kept her sidelined for 13 straight games. Her timetable for a return to the floor has been uncertain, but her ankle issue reportedly hasn't impacted her timeline. Clark has made only 13 appearances during the 2025 campaign, averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 36.7 percent from the field and 27.9 percent from three-point range.