Could Caitlin Clark return in WNBA Playoffs after | Sports News

Caitlin Clark is ruled out for the remaining of the 2025 WNBA season, and even when she might return, the Indiana Fever would not be capable of make the most of her.

On Thursday, the Fever triumphed over the Atlanta Dream with an 87-85 victory in Game 3 of their first-round face-off, advancing to the WNBA Playoff Semi-Finals. Kelsey Mitchell, who was named to the All-WNBA First-Team, led the charge with 24 factors, securing a essential postseason collection win for the Clark-less Fever.

Aliyah Boston additionally had an spectacular efficiency, contributing 14 factors and 12 rebounds because the Fever – who remarkably made it to the playoffs – clinched a postseason collection for the primary time since 2015. That 12 months, the franchise made it to the WNBA Finals solely to lose to the Minnesota Lynx.

Considering the accidents the Fever have endured, their playoff victory is an extraordinary accomplishment. Regrettably, regardless of whether or not she is healthy or not, Clark will not be partaking in this journey.

Clark is not listed on the Fever’s playoff roster, so even when she miraculously recovered from her accidents, she would not be capable of be part of her teammates on the court docket. This encapsulates a disappointing second season for Clark, who was awarded Rookie of the Year in 2024.

The 23-year-old initially suffered a quad pressure however has since incurred and exacerbated groin accidents. Clark has been sidelined for a important period whereas Indiana have additionally misplaced different key gamers like Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, and Aari McDonald for the remaining of the season as a consequence of accidents, marking a difficult season for the franchise.

The showdown with the Phoenix Mercury final month grew to become the scene of devastating accidents for the Fever. Colson crumpled with a torn ACL in the opening quarter whereas McDonald sustained a fractured bone in her proper foot.

Earlier that day, previous to recreation time, Clark was working via drills and recovering from a proper damage during a observe session when she rolled her left ankle, ensuing in a minor bone bruise. The mishap allegedly occurred close to the session’s conclusion, amplifying her disappointment.

Having appeared in simply 13 video games this season, Clark turned to X to announce her marketing campaign was completed: “I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season. 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.

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“I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty. This has been incredibly frustrating, but even in the bad, there is good.

“The way the fans continued to show up for me, and for the Fever, brought me so much joy and important perspective.

“I am so proud of how this team has only gotten stronger through adversity this year. Now it’s time to close out the season and claim our spot in the Playoffs.”

Clark has been sidelined from the Fever since July 15 as a consequence of a recurring groin damage. She has solely participated in 13 out of the Fever’s 41 video games in 2025, with an average of 16.5 factors, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds per recreation.

The Fever is set to face both the Las Vegas Aces or the Seattle Storm in the WNBA Semi-Finals, kicking off on Sept. 21.