While the Indiana Fever are on track to make the WNBA playoffs, their fans will look back on 2025 as a lost season thanks to star Caitlin Clark only appearing in 13 games.<\/p>\n
Expectations for the franchise were higher than they’ve been in a long time after Clark’s record-breaking rookie year. Indiana signed six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner and 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Natasha Howard, and it acquired Sophie Cunningham in a trade.<\/p>\n
Hiring Stephanie White, the 2023 Coach of the Year, was another sign of intent.<\/p>\n
However, a series of injuries to Clark prevented the Fever from reaching the heights they envisioned. Here’s an overview for what proved to be a tough year for the dynamic guard.<\/p>\n
May 17: Clark Drops Triple-Double in Blowout Win over Sky<\/p>\n
The WNBA wasted no time in spotlighting one of its biggest individual matchups. Indiana hosted Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky in its opener on May 17.<\/p>\n
The occasion proved to be rather underwhelming as the Fever coasted past Chicago 93-58. Reese finished with 12 points and 17 rebounds but was far overshadowed by Clark.<\/p>\n
Not only did the Fever star come out on the winning side, but she also started 2025 with a triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists).<\/p>\n
May 26: Fever Announce Quad Injury<\/p>\n
Clark struggled in a May 24 loss to the New York Liberty, shooting 6-of-18 en route to scoring 18 points. She also turned the ball over 10 times.<\/p>\n
Two days later, the Fever announced<\/a> she was dealing with a left quadriceps strain that would keep her out of the lineup for at least two weeks.<\/p>\n June 14: Fever Beat Liberty in Clark’s Return<\/p>\n No game probably symbolizes what could’ve been for the 2025 Indiana Fever more than their 102-88 win over the reigning champion Liberty on June 14. It was New York’s first loss following a 9-0 start.<\/p>\n Clark was electric, knocking down seven three-pointers and flirting with another triple-double (32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists).<\/p>\n While the Fever only improved their record to 5-5 at the time, it looked like a result that would kickstart their season.<\/p>\n June 26: Clark Sidelined with Groin Injury<\/p>\n Alas, Indiana announced<\/a> less than two weeks later that Clark had a left groin injury and would be day-to-day.<\/p>\n Fans wondered whether she was 100 percent based on her recent performances. In the Fever’s three games prior to her injury, she scored a total of 36 points and shot 1-of-23 from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n June 29: Clark Named All-Star Captain<\/p>\n Despite failing to match the level she set as a rookie in 2024, Clark was named<\/a> one of two All-Star captains alongside the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier on June 29. She finished with more fan votes<\/a> (1,293,526) than any other player.<\/p>\n July 9: Clark Returns in Losing Effort<\/p>\n The Fever got their best player back for a July 9 meeting against the Golden State Valkyries, but that wasn’t enough to secure a win.<\/p>\n Indiana lost 80-61 as Clark continued to look a step below her rookie self. She had 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting along with five rebounds, six assists and one steal.<\/p>\n July 16: Fever Rule Clark out with New Groin Injury<\/p>\n As with her previous comeback, Clark lacked her usual sharpness once she was on the floor again. In four games, she averaged 12.5 points on 30.9 percent shooting and 8.8 assists.<\/p>\n The Fever at least reeled off three straight wins to get to 12-10 on the season.<\/p>\n But then White announced<\/a> Clark suffering a new groin injury ahead of a July 16 meeting with the New York Liberty.<\/p>\n July 17: Clark Announces Withdrawal from All-Star Weekend<\/p>\n In addition to captaining one of the two All-Star teams, Clark was originally slated to compete in the Three-Point Contest in her home arena, Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse.<\/p>\n The groin injury took all that off the table as she announced<\/a> on July 17 she would be watching the All-Star festivities as a spectator.<\/p>\n Aug. 20: Clark Suffers Bone Bruise in Workout<\/p>\n While the Fever didn’t provide a firm timeline for Clark’s return, the team remained optimistic<\/a> she’d be back prior to the conclusion of the regular season.<\/p>\n However, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou<\/a> reported on Aug. 20 the 6’0″ guard suffered a bone bruise to her left ankle while recovering from her groin injury. A team spokesperson told Philippou it was unclear whether this extended her absence because “there was no timeline or projected return to play.”<\/p>\n Sept. 4: Clark Announces She Won’t Return in 2025<\/p>\n Fever fans finally received some clarity on Sept. 4, albeit not of the kind they were hoping.<\/p>\n Clark announced<\/a> on social media she wouldn’t play again in 2025.<\/p>\n “I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling,” she said. “I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty.”<\/p>\n Indiana had just three games left in the regular season, and general manager Amber Cox said<\/a> that “time is not on our side” when it came to Clark’s status.<\/p>\n “While we will continue working with Caitlin and provide her with every resource we have available, there is not enough time left in our season for her to safely return, and her long-term health and well-being remains our top priority,” she said. “We are looking forward to having her back at full strength to start the 2026 season.”<\/p>\n