As the WNBA playoff race intensifies, the Indiana Fever face the challenge of missing their star guard, Caitlin Clark, who remains sidelined due to a right groin injury sustained on July 15 during a game against the Connecticut Sun. Despite the growing anticipation around her potential comeback, head coach Stephanie White confirmed that there is still no timetable for Clark’s return while she continues her recovery.

The Fever are eager to see Clark back on the court as her presence could be crucial for their playoff aspirations. However, the emphasis remains on cautious rehabilitation to ensure a full recovery from the latest injury setback.

Progress in Rehabilitation but No Team Practice Yet

Caitlin Clark has now missed 10 consecutive games following the injury, contributing to a recent halt in the Fever’s five-game winning streak. Before Indiana’s matchup with the Dallas Wings, Fever beat writer Chloe Peterson spoke with Stephanie White for an update on Clark’s condition. White detailed that while Clark has increased her activity, she has yet to return to full team practice.

Caitlin Clark has not yet returned to practice, Stephanie White says. She is able to do a bit more in the running and individual workouts aspects, but no practice with the full team yet. pic.twitter.com/EDw1Dz85iy
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) August 11, 2025

White elaborated on Clark’s current level of activity, saying,

No return to practice. She’s been able to get a little bit more in her full court running with all her body weight, it’s really building up from doing minimal to then building some endurance to do longer periods of time. She’s been able to do a little bit more on the court in terms of how she moves, but not into practice yet,

emphasizing that while Clark’s progress is positive, rejoining team drills remains out of reach.

Challenges of a Season Marred by Injuries

This season has been challenging for Clark, whose playing time has been limited to 13 of the Fever’s 32 games due to a series of injuries. Following initial setbacks with a left-quad strain and left-groin issues, the recent right groin injury marks another hurdle in her efforts to stay healthy and contribute consistently to the team.

Clark’s impact on the floor is undeniable; her performances have often been game-changing. Her ability to score, rebound, and assist has elevated the Fever’s competitiveness, amplifying the pressure on the team to manage her recovery carefully without risking further damage.

Prioritizing Long-Term Health Over Immediate Return

White has repeatedly stressed that the Fever will not rush Clark’s return, prioritizing her long-term well-being over short-term gains. On ESPN’s NBA Today last Monday, White reinforced this stance, saying,

It’s day-to-day right now, we’re putting no timetable on it,

and

[She is] going through the rehab process, and then we want to reintegrate her from a strength and conditioning standpoint and then get her back to basketball activities. So we’re taking it one day at a time, really slow rolling it, slow playing it this time. The most important thing for us is Caitlin’s long-term health and getting her back to 100% before we put her back on the floor.

With the Fever currently holding the fifth seed with 18 wins, the team has an opportunity to climb the standings, especially as rivals like the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury experience setbacks. Nevertheless, the path to success appears challenging without Clark’s full participation.

Looking Ahead: Waiting for the Right Moment to Resume Play

Stephanie White’s approach underlines the importance of patience, recognizing that the Fever need their star guard in optimal condition for the crucial final stretch of the season and potential playoff battles. Clark’s return is eagerly anticipated, but all parties agree that it must happen only when she is fully ready to compete without risking another injury.

For now, the focus remains on steady rehabilitation through controlled individual workouts, gradual conditioning, and careful monitoring, with the hope that Clark can regain her form and lead Indiana when the time is right.