Caitlin Clark, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury, watched on as Indiana Fever played out a narrow but crucial win over Los Angeles Sparks on Friday
Caitlin Clark issued a warning to her teammate Sydney Colson(Image: Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark continues to be sidelined for the Indiana Fever but her teammates are stepping up in her absence.
The star guard has been sidelined for over a month after suffering a groin injury in July, and was forced to watch on as her team played out a crucial tie for their play-off chances against Los Angeles Sparks on Friday night.
In what was a true nailbiter, Fever would edge the game, winning 76-75, but the biggest takeaway from the match was the officiating. Clark’s teammate, Sydney Colson — who is also battling an injury — took issue with the referee’s performance at the Crypto.com Arena in California.
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In a post on X, Colson remarked: “At a certain point in the league’s existence, I’m going to need Kelsey Mitchell to get the same whistle as other stars.
“The way she gets assaulted is insane actually and I’ve considered roping my sister in to have her office pursue charges.”
While Clark did not respond to the officiating directly, she instead replied with a cheeky comment, cautioning Colson: “Careful you’re gonna get fired”.
The 23-year-old is not shy about throwing verbal jabs at the officials, as she is often very critical about not getting the same treatment as other players.
Fever are gearing up for their second play-off run in as many seasons, and it’d be an incredible feat for them to go all the way without their reigning Rookie of the Year.
Sydney Colson suffered a torn ACL against the Phoenix Mercury(Image: Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Clark has been more active with the team as of late, however, notching a couple of shootarounds under her belt.
As she ramps up to full match fitness, Indiana will do all they can to clinch a spot, and should the rising star get up to speed quickly, then they have a real chance to compete.
Indiana coach Stephanie White admitted she hopes Clark can return before the team’s regular season finale on September 11: “It was a good step, because she got out there on the floor with us for the first time, part of the sort of return to activity thing.
“But it was all very low, low-maintenance, you know, 5-on-0 low intensity stuff. So I think just getting her back out there, getting her comfortable, and see where she goes.”
In the WNBA, the top eight teams in the regular season — regardless of the conference — will participate in a single-elimination tournament system.
At the time of publication, Fever are sitting pretty in sixth position with Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm and Golden State Valkyries filling out the rest of the play-off positions.