Fever Provide Massive Caitlin Clark Hint For Mercury Game

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Indiana’s hoops heartbeat has taken a hit with both of its superstars injured. Tyrese Haliburton is on the path to recovery, but will miss the entire 2025-26 season. On the WNBA front, while everyone was hoping for an MVP season from the reigning RoTY, Caitlin Clark has had to sit out more games than she has played. After recovering from her first quad injury, she got hit with a left groin one, and then the right groin also joined the list. Since then, every game has been a watch party – that is, watching out for any signs of Caitlin Clark’s return.

The Indiana Fever is back home and about to host the Phoenix Mercury for the first time this season on Wednesday night. Could we expect the point guard to pop in for a few minutes? Well, the Indiana Fever had some pre-game updates. In their latest X post, almost all of the team could be seen grinding at practice. The video shows the likes of Aliyah Boston, Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell, Chloe Bibby, Aari McDonald, and coach Stephanie White. However, One name and face are prominently missing from the practice update. Naturally, fans were quick to ask in the comment section, “Where is Caitlin? Is she still on the team?”

tuesday training. pic.twitter.com/smBUEHJtin

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 29, 2025

Well, she’s, of course, still part of the team, but as expected, though still disappointing, Caitlin Clark won’t be suiting up against the Mercury. Shortly after practice wrapped up, the Indiana Fever released their injury report, confirming what many had feared: Clark is ruled out for Wednesday night’s game.

The Indiana Fever issued an official update on Clark’s injury status and recovery on Thursday, July 24. “Clark will continue working with the medical team on her recovery and rehabilitation, with the priority on her long-term health and well-being. There is no timetable available for her return,” the Fever’s statement read.

Clark has been battling injuries since the preseason, missing the opener due to quad tightness. A left quadriceps strain then kept her out for five games between late May and early June. Just as fans hoped for a full return, a right groin issue emerged, forcing her to sit out for more games. Clark exited in the final minute of Indiana’s 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun on July 15 and hasn’t played since. She’s sat out four regular season games since, and the 3-point contest as well as the All-Star game she was captaining. The possibility is high that the number is going up, and the odds of her claiming MVP are going down.

The Indiana Fever eyes a Caitlin Clark replacement

When the 6-foot guard sits out the game against Mercury, it would be 14 missed regular-season games for her in 2025. Counting the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final, that’s 15 overall. Not how we imagined Clark’s sophomore year would go after the stellar rookie campaign that got her individual honors and led the Fever to its first playoff berth since 2016.

Contrary to their massive resurgence last year, the Fever is riddled with inconsistencies this time. It’s struggled to maintain a .500 and lost consecutive games to the New York Liberty around the time Clark was sidelined. They, however, beat the A’ja Wilson-led Aces. Now, Clark’s injuries have prompted ESPN insiders to add to the trade buzz.

Kevin Pelton claimed that Indiana might turn to the Dallas Wings to add some star power in her absence. He further predicted that Indiana would trade center Damiris Dantas and a 2026 second-round pick to Dallas in exchange for forward Myisha Hines-Allen. After all, a WNBA champion might be what’s needed to fill the Caitlin Clark-shaped hole in the offense. 

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