The Indiana Fever have been cautious with Caitlin Clark’s return from a right groin injury to ensure the point guard is ready for a long playoff run. But the Fever’s postseason hopes are in jeopardy after losing six of eight games and slipping to eighth place in the WNBA standings.
Clark is expected to be out for Fever’s matchup against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, marking her 16th consecutive absence after suffering the groin injury in Indiana’s 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun on July 15. Clark has played in 13 of the Fever’s 37 games this season. The Fever are below .500 when Clark isn’t in the lineup with a 11-13 record this season.
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Despite tweaking her ankle during an individual workout on Aug. 7, Clark appears to be trending in the right direction. She participated in team shootaround and non-contact drills on Aug. 24, marking her first time working out with the team in over a month since suffering the right groin injury.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Aaliyah Edwards grabs a rebound over the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler during the second half at CareFirst Arena on Aug. 19. The Sun won the game, 80-69.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Aaliyah Edwards grabs a rebound over the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler during the second half at CareFirst Arena on Aug. 19. The Sun won the game, 80-69.
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The Dallas Wings’ Maddy Siegrist blocks a shot by the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson during the second quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena on Aug. 17.
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Los Angeles Sparks guard Julie Allemand (20) tries to control the ball during an Aug. 15 game against the Dallas Wings.
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Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) moves past Dallas Wings center Luisa Geiselsoder (18) during the first half of their Aug. 15 game.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) beats the Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams to the rebound during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on Aug. 13.
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The Golden State Valkyries’ mascot, Violet, is introduced during halftime of the game against the Connecticut Sun at Chase Center on Aug. 11
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The Connecticut Sun’s Aneesah Morrow controls a rebound against the Golden State Valkyries’ Cecilia Zandalasini during the first quarter at Chase Center on Aug. 11.
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The Washington Mystics’ Jacy Sheldon (4) has her shot blocked by the Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru during the first half at College Park Center on Aug. 10. The Mystics won the game, 91-78.
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The Atlanta Dream’s Jordin Canada (3) defends against the Chicago Sky’s Ariel Atkins (7) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 7.
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The Chicago Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso (10) shoots against the Washington Mystics during the first half at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 5. The Sky won the game, 78-64.
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The Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray (15) shoots over the Washington Mystics’ Sonia Citron (22) during the third quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park on Aug. 3. The Dream won the game, 99-83.
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The Atlanta Dream’s Maya Caldwell (33) shoots past the Dallas Wings’ Luisa Geiselsoder during the first half at College Park Center on July 30.
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The Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese (5) shoots the ball as the Washington Mystics’ Kiki Iriafen (44) defends during the first half at CareFirst Arena on July 29. The Mystics won the game, 103-86.
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The New York Liberty’s Isabelle Harrison looks to move to the basket past the Dallas Wings’ Myisha Hines-Allen (2), Paige Bueckers (5) and Li Yueru (28) during the first half at College Park Center on July 28.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Haley Peters (7) and Golden State Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) work for the rebound during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 27. The Sun won the game, 95-64.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) defends against the Los Angeles Sparks’ Rae Burrell during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 24.
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The Washington Mystics’ Aaliyah Edwards (24) reacts after a foul call against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena on July 22.
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The Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) drives against the Seattle Storm’s Skylar Diggins during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on July 16. The Storm won the game, 67-58.
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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Dearica Hamby (5) reaches in for the ball controlled by the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler (21) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on July 15. The Sparks won the game, 99-80.
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The Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams (1) defends against the Minnesota Lynx’s Jessica Shepard during the first half at Wintrust Arena on July 14. The Lynx won the game, 91-78.
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The Atlanta Dream’s Jordin Canada (3) collides with the New York Liberty’s Nyara Sabally during the first quarter at Barclays Center on July 13. The Liberty won the game, 79-72.
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The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark calls timeout while the Golden State Valkyries’ Tiffany Hayes defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 9. The Valkyries won the game, 80-61.
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The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart (left) and Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young (0) fight for a loose ball during the third quarter at Barclays Center on July 8. The Liberty won the game, 87-78.
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The Las Vegas Aces’ Kierstan Bell (1) blocks the shot of the Connecticut Sun’s Aneesah Morrow (24) during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 6. The Aces won the game, 86-68.
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The Minnesota Lynx’s Diamond Miller fouls the Golden State Valkyries’ Temi Fagbenle while shooting in the fourth quarter at Target Center on July 5.
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The Washington Mystics’ Brittney Sykes (20) looks toward the ball after losing control against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half at Target Center on July 3.
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The Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull (10) and Los Angeles Sparks’ Rickea Jackson vie for possession of the ball during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 26. The Sparks won the game, 85-75.
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The Seattle Storm’s Zia Cooke (7) shoots the ball while guarded by the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on June 24.
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The Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham (8) fouls the Las Vegas Aces’ Tiffany Mitchell (3) during the first half at T-Mobile Arena on June 22. The Aces won the game, 89-81.
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The Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers (5) shoots the ball against the Washington Mystics during the second half at Entertainment & Sports Arena on June 22. The Mystics won the game, 91-88, in overtime.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Marina Mabrey (3) fouls Caitlin Clark during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 17. The Indiana Fever won the game, 88-71.
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The Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young (0) shoots the ball as the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith (8) attempts to block the ball during the first half at Target Center on June 17.
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The Golden State Valkyries’ Laeticia Amihere (3) and Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru (28) go for the ball during the first half at College Park Center on June 17.
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The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball while the New York Liberty’s Kennedy Burke defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 14. The Fever won the game, 102-88.
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The Dallas Wings’ DiJonai Carrington (21) makes a pass around the Las Vegas Aces’ Aaliyah Nye during the third quarter at Michelob Ultra Arena on June 13. The Aces won the game, 88-84.
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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum (10) attempts to score a layup as the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson defends during the second half at Michelob Ultra Arena on June 11. The Sparks won the game, 97-89.
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The LA Sparks’ Emma Cannon (32) and Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin (20) battle for the ball during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on June 9.
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The Washington Mystics’ Brittney Sykes (20) attempts a lay up in front of the Connecticut Sun’s Tina Charles (31) during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena on June 8. The Mystics won the game, 104-67.
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The Golden State Valkyries’ Cecilia Zandalasini shoots against the Las Vegas Aces during the first quarter at Chase Center on June 7. The Valkyries won the game, 95-68.
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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Azura Stevens (23) and Dallas Wings’ Teaira McCowan go for the ball during the second half at College Park Center on June 6. The Sparks won the game, 93-79.
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The Phoenix Mercury’s Megan McConnell (16) shoots the ball from her knees over the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith (8) during the second half at Target Center on June 3.
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The Las Vegas Aces’ Chelsea Gray (12) collides with the Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum (10) during the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena on May 30.
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LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) is fouled by Atlanta Dream guard Maya Caldwell (33) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on May 27, 2025.
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The Seattle Storm’s Ezi Magbegor (13) goes to the basket against the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier (24) during the first quarter at Target Center on May 27, 2025.
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The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart (30) shoots the ball while the Indiana Fever’s Aliyah Boston (7) defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 24, 2025.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Dream in the third quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) passes the ball against the Indiana Fever in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) shoots against the Indiana Fever in the first half at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the second half at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) brings the ball up court against the New York Liberty during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) jokes with Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso (10) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) brings the ball up court against the New York Liberty during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins (7) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) talks to her teammates during the second half against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) drives to the basket against New York Liberty forward Kennedy Burke (22) during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) celebrates after a basket against the Golden State Valkyries in the fourth quarter at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco, California.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) brings the ball up as Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) defends her in the fourth quarter at Target Center on May 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) works around Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) in the third quarter at Target Center on May 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle (14) congratulates guard Veronica Burton (22) after Burton made a three point basket at the buzzer against the Washington Mystics in the second quarter at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco.
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Los Angeles Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (13) fouls Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second half at Footprint Center on May 21, 2025 in Phoenix.
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Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives on Phoenix Mercury guard Alexa Held (1) in the first half at Footprint Center on May 21, 2025 in Phoenix.
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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) reacts after a call against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives the ball against Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) makes the basket against the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) looks to pass the ball by Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the first half at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.
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Seattle Storm guard Erica Wheeler (17) celebrates from the team bench during the first half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.
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Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) collides with Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) during the second half at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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Los Angeles Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (13) looks to pass against Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Sparks forward Azura Stevens (23) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Here’s what we know about Clark’s right groin injury, including a complete injury timeline and her anticipated return:
Is Caitlin Clark playing Tuesday? Injury status for Fever-Storm
Clark (right groin injury) is not expected to play in the Fever’s matchup against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday in Indianapolis, which tips off at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. There is no timetable for her return.
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How was Caitlin Clark injured?
Clark suffered a right groin injury in the final minute of the Fever’s 85-77 victory over the Sun at TD Garden in Boston on July 15. With 39.1 seconds remaining in the contest, Clark completed a bounce pass to Kelsey Mitchell to put the Fever up 84-75. After the pass, Clark immediately grabbed for her right groin and grimaced as she gingerly walked to and headbutted the stanchion. She did not return.
Caitlin Clark injury timeline
May 24: Clark suffered a left quad injury during the Fever’s 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Clark couldn’t pinpoint the specific play that caused her injury, but noted that it happened early in the contest. Clark said, “Adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you’re in the heat of battle. After the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn’t want to see.” She missed the Fever’s next five games.
June 24: Clark suffered a left groin injury in the Fever’s 94-86 win over the Seattle Storm, which resulted in Clark missing the team’s next four games. Fever coach Stephanie White said she learned of Clark’s groin injury the following night after Clark alerted team trainers of discomfort.
July 9: Clark returned to the Fever’s lineup in the Fever’s 80-61 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Clark was limited to 10 points, shooting 4 of 12 from the field and 2 of 5 from the 3-point line, in addition to six assists, five rebounds and four turnovers. Following the blowout loss, Clark said it was “going to take me a second to get my wind back. … Just trying to get my legs under me.”
July 15: Clark suffered a right groin injury in the final minute of the Fever’s 85-77 victory over the Sun at TD Garden in Boston. White later confirmed Clark “felt a little something in her groin.” This marked the last game for which Clark suited up.
July 18: Clark announced that she would sit out the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, where she was named a team captain. Clark was also set to participate in the 3-point contest. She said, “I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can’t participate … I have to rest my body.”
August 7: Clark reportedly suffered a mild bone bruise in her left ankle while during an individual workout session in Phoenix on Aug. 7, according to The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.
August 8: During an appearance on Sue Bird’s podcast, “Bird’s Eye View,” Clark spoke about the frustrations of her injury-filled season: “It’s not like I have a training camp to build up to play in my first game again. It’s like no, you’re tossed into Game 30 — like, ‘Go try to play well.’ It’s hard, it really is.”
August 10: Fever coach Stephanie White said Clark has progressed in her recovery and has started running full court again, but Clark hasn’t returned to practice just yet: an important step in her ramp-up. “She’s been able to get a little bit more in her full-court running with all of her body weight… She’s been able to do a little more on the court in terms of how she moves, but not into practice yet,” White said.
August 20: White confirmed that Clark has not returned to practice yet.
August 24: Clark participated in a team shootaround and went through some non-contact drills with the second team, marking her first time practicing with the team since suffering a right groin injury on July 15.
Caitlin Clark stats
Clark is averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and a career-high 8.8 assists in 13 games this season. Her assists average is the second-highest in the league, behind Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas (9.0).
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Fever guard Caitlin Clark playing Tuesday vs. Storm? Injury update