The Fever won’t be rushing Caitlin Clark back from her quadriceps injury.
Speaking to the media Monday after the team announced its star guard would be sidelined at least two weeks while recovering from a left quad strain, first-year coach Stephanie White maintained the Fever’s focus is on the big picture, recognizing that thrusting Clark back into the action immediately could open the door to “lingering issues” down the stretch.
“There’s so many things when you think about Caitlin and her not wanting to miss games. Obviously, she’s a competitor and wants to play. Obviously, everyone wants to watch her play,” White said, according to The Athletic.
“But for me, it’s maintaining perspective. It’s making sure that we address this in a way that doesn’t affect [the] long term. That we take care of it, don’t over-push, don’t over-exert. Making sure that we take the long-game approach to this so that we’re not having lingering issues throughout the course of the season.”
Clark appeared in the Fever’s first four games this season, including Saturday’s 90-88 loss to the Liberty.
Currently 2-2 on the season, the Fever face the Mystics (2-3) twice, along with the Sun (0-4) and the Sky (0-3) over the course of the next two weeks.
Clark, who has not missed a game since high school, battled a left leg injury in the preseason, however, it’s unclear if that issue and her quad troubles are related.
White added Monday she’s “glad” Clark was transparent about the issue.
“Sometimes great players don’t tell you when they’re hurting, I’m glad that she did because we need to nip this in the bud,” she said.
The Fever will provide further updates on Clark once she’s been re-evaluated.
The reigning Rookie of the Year, Clark is averaging 19 points, 9.3 assists and six rebounds this season.
She and the Fever reached the postseason in 2024, losing to the Sun in the first round.
Indiana last won a championship in 2012.