{"id":180487,"date":"2025-09-25T09:15:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T09:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/180487\/"},"modified":"2025-09-25T09:15:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T09:15:09","slug":"fevers-caitlin-clark-shows-positive-signs-shooting-hoops-with-stephanie-white-ahead-of-aces-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/180487\/","title":{"rendered":"Fever’s Caitlin Clark Shows Positive Signs Shooting Hoops With Stephanie White Ahead of Aces Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Indiana is enjoying its deepest playoff run in a decade, but they have done it without their star guard. Caitlin Clark\u2019s absence has been one of the season\u2019s biggest storylines ever since she was ruled out with a right groin strain suffered on July 15. Yet, even from the sidelines, her presence still looms large, and the encouraging news is that her recovery appears to be on track.<\/p>\n

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For the first time since her season update, Clark\u2019s progress can be spotted on the court. As per the latest clip on X, she was seen in a recent shootaround attempting a lot of shots beyond the arc at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena.\u00a0In the video, CC is not only moving freely but also putting pressure on her ankle and right groin while getting shots up. It\u2019s a positive sign, even if the Fever is keeping things cautious with her limited to non-contact drills. And it\u2019s understandable, as Lisa Leslie has already sounded an alarm.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI had the injury that she had\u2026 That deep groin injury is nothing to play around with. It can feel like you\u2019ve never had it, you make one move, one cut\u2014boom\u2014she\u2019s back in the same spot,\u201d Leslie shared during the August 27 episode of We Need to Talk. Leslie had a similar injury back in 2006, and she never really got to recover from it fully, as the pain still lingers when she plays tennis.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s exactly why CC, despite hitting the gym for hours and practicing in drills, preferred to call it off this season. \u201cI had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season\u2026 disappointed isn\u2019t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling,\u201d she shared on September 4.<\/p>\n

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But still, CC\u2019s workout looked convincing, setting the tone for what must be the most anticipated comeback. Best part? This isn\u2019t the first time she\u2019s participated in such drills. Even before the game versus the Atlanta Dream, she was spotted doing a similar drill during one of those practice sessions. Still and all, some people believe that these drills mean she might make a sudden, surprise entry into this year\u2019s playoffs.<\/p>\n

However, as good as it sounds, the answer is no. According to WNBA rules, teams must submit their active roster before the playoffs, and when Indy did, CC was not included. Once the playoffs begin, teams cannot make changes, so yes, Indy\u2019s roster is already set. And while CC is included in shootaround, she\u2019s not participating with the team yet. She hasn\u2019t competed in a game for over two months. So no doubt\u2014she\u2019s preparing for the 2026 season only. As GM Amber Cox added: \u201cWe are looking forward to having her back at full strength to start the 2026 season.\u201d But until then, she\u2019s got an important role to play.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Caitlin Clark turns sideline leader!<\/p>\n

For now, CC is embracing a different kind of leadership role. She\u2019s often seen proudly anchoring the Fever\u2019s \u201cBench Mob.\u201d She\u2019s been a constant on the sidelines for all four games. She even had her black Air Force 1s in three of them, hoping to bring in some good luck. But her presence is not limited to the arena.<\/p>\n

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She\u2019s been active on social media, often praising her teammates and celebrating milestones in real time. She did it recently after Kelsey Mitchell\u2019s electric 34-point performance in Game 1 against the Aces, with a \u201cKelsey unreal\u201d tweet. Just a week earlier, she went all caps in her appreciation for head coach Stephanie White by posting, \u201cSTEPHANIE WHITE!!!!!!!!\u201d after Indy\u2019s first playoff series win since 2015.<\/p>\n

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And yes, not all of her posts have gone unnoticed by the league. She was even fined $200 for commenting, \u201cRefs couldn\u2019t stop us\u201d on an Instagram post hyping the Bench Mob\u2019s spirit. But that won\u2019t stop her from supporting Indy<\/a> every step of the way. What do you think?<\/p>\n

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