The Indiana Fever are facing a challenging stretch as standout guard Caitlin Clark remains sidelined indefinitely due to a persistent groin injury, forcing key players to assume unfamiliar roles. This situation, combined with other season-ending injuries, has tested the team‘s resilience throughout the 2025 WNBA season.

Since Clark’s injury, the Fever have had to adapt on the fly, including in their recent 92-70 victory over the Chicago Sky on August 8, 2025. Despite their relieved mood following the win, the reality of playing without their star guard has thrust players like Sophie Cunningham and Kelsey Mitchell into difficult positions, both on and off the court. The impact of Clark’s absence is widely felt, as teammates balance their own performances with the pressure to keep the team competitive.

Rising to the Challenge amid a Depleted Roster

Heading into the game against the Sky, Indiana was already struggling, having lost two consecutive matches, including a particularly tough loss in Phoenix. The team was reeling from the news that guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald were also sidelined for the season with serious injuries – a torn ACL and broken foot, respectively. Such losses severely depleted the Fever’s backcourt options.

Kelsey Mitchell described the team’s mindset during this period:

“We could have looked at it like, oh, woe is me and, you know, we don’t have enough players, And we didn’t.”

—Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever guard

With no healthy point guards available, the responsibility of handling the ball and directing the offense fell to players unaccustomed to those roles. Lexie Hull highlighted this new challenge, applauding the sacrifices made by her teammates. She said,

“I think Kelsey’s not giving herself enough credit. Her and Sophie putting themselves before the team, you know, making sure that they’re sacrificing playing out of position, doing things that they don’t normally do, maybe uncomfortable, but I think they both really did a great job.”

—Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever guard

Sophie Cunningham’s Shift to Playmaking and Leadership

Sophie Cunningham, naturally a wing player, stepped up as the team’s de facto point guard. Taking on this new role, she provided steady control of the offense while maintaining efficient scoring, contributing 16 points in the Chicago game. Cunningham’s leadership was vital in helping Lexie Hull rebound with a strong performance, as Hull scored 17 points.

While acknowledging the pressure, Cunningham embraced the challenge despite increased scrutiny and on-court intensity. She previously mentioned the team‘s status in the league, stating,

“We are circled on everybody’s schedule. No one likes us.”

—Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever guard

Adding to the tension, Cunningham was involved in a heated exchange with former teammate DeWanna Bonner, illustrating the competitive and emotional strain on the team during this difficult phase.

Clarity Remains Elusive on Clark’s Injury and Return

The specifics of Caitlin Clark‘s ongoing groin injury remain unclear, with Cunningham describing it as a strange condition where

“she’s not in pain all the time.”

The medical staff and team are proceeding with extreme caution, but no clear timetable for Clark’s return has been announced.

The uncertainty around Clark’s availability amplifies the challenge for Cunningham, Mitchell, and the other players, leaving the Fever in a position where they must find ways to win without their star guard for an extended period.

Kelsey Mitchell’s Emergence in a New Leadership Role

Kelsey Mitchell, primarily known as a scorer, has taken on the added responsibility of primary playmaker, a role she admits is unfamiliar territory last experienced during her college career. The adjustment has been humbling but essential.

Reflecting on her experience after the Chicago Sky game, Mitchell said,

“I don’t know, it brings out the vulnerable side of me, the leadership in which I need to keep getting better at and keep growing at. I think being this PG position kind of helps with that… I think they made me look good tonight.”

—Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever guard

Mitchell delivered a season-high eight assists alongside her 26 points in that game, demonstrating a growing comfort and effectiveness in running the offense while still carrying her scoring load.

Managing Emotional Strain and Finding Strength in Unity

The emotional weight of losing multiple key players has visibly affected the team. When asked about a light-hearted moment during the game, where an injured Clark playfully booed a timeout call, Mitchell’s candid response revealed the underlying difficulty of the situation.

She shared,

“We got to laugh to keep from crying. Losing Syd was big. Losing Aari McDonald was big. And not having CC is even bigger. Those three not being here, we gotta take every joy that we can.”

—Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever guard

This outlook reflects a team mentality focused on embracing joy amid adversity, relying on mutual support to sustain their resilience. Mitchell emphasized the unvarnished reality facing the Fever:

“No one’s gonna hand us anything. So, we might as well look at it for what it is and keep showing up.”

—Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever guard

For now, the Indiana Fever are forging ahead by having players take on unfamiliar, sometimes uncomfortable roles while holding onto their playoff hopes. The ongoing “Caitlin Clark injury impact” continues to shape the team’s identity and strategies this season, requiring adaptability and grit as they navigate this challenging period.