Fever coach responds to Caitlin Clark’s ‘silly’ repsonse in returning press conference

Caitlin Clark will return to the Indiana Fever lineup on Saturday against the New York Liberty after missing the last five games with a left quad strain.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever speaks at a press conference before the game against the New York Liberty during a 2025 Commissioner’s Cup game on June 14, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana(Image: A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)

Indiana Fever’s head coach Stephanie White couldn’t help but laugh when Caitlin Clark dismissed the idea of minutes restrictions as “silly,” a day after the team waived Aari McDonald.

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Clark made her comeback in Saturday’s matchup against the New York Liberty after missing five games due to a left quad strain. The Fever, who managed a 2-3 record in the absence of the ex-Iowa star, will also welcome back Sophie Cunningham, who’s been sidelined with an ankle problem.

Despite not hitting the hardwood since May 24, Clark indicated in her pregame presser that she doesn’t expect any playing time limits. “Not that I’ve been told,” stated the Fever guard. “I’m not a huge fan of minute restrictions. I think that’s silly.”

“So just kind of gauging that by how she feels and how she looks for us, and we’re continuing to then build our positive progress.”

Stephanie White laughed off Caitlin Clark’s assessment

Further detailing her approach to managing a regular load against the Liberty, Clark mentioned it wasn’t necessary due to her cautious return. “I told them, I don’t want to come back unless I’m 100 percent full go,” the WNBA standout remarked.

“Why would I be out there to play 20 minutes? I’m out there to win and give everything I have for this team. My rotations might just be a little shorter to keep me a little fresher.

“I haven’t played a game in three weeks now, so my lungs might be a little bit different for myself. … Just shorter periods to make sure I have my lungs with me.”

Before her injury, Clark was averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 9.3 assists, with a shooting accuracy of 40.3 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from beyond the arc across five games.

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When quizzed about Clark’s comments, White couldn’t contain her amusement. “Of course she did,” the Fever’s head coach said, grinning.

“It was just asking questions to our training staff of, ‘Do we think that we need a minute restriction?’ And they were adamantly, ‘No, I don’t think so.’

“She’s done the work that she needs to do to make sure that she’s ready to go. So I think the challenge for us as coaches and for Caitlin is just, you know, how long do we go at one period of time? We don’t want emotional or physical fatigue early in the ballgame.

“So just kind of gauging that by how she feels and how she looks for us, and we’re continuing to then build our positive progress.”

Stephanie White laughed off Caitlin Clark’s assessment

Further detailing her approach to managing a regular load against the Liberty, Clark mentioned it wasn’t necessary due to her cautious return. “I told them, I don’t want to come back unless I’m 100 percent full go,” the WNBA standout remarked.

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“Why would I be out there to play 20 minutes? I’m out there to win and give everything I have for this team. My rotations might just be a little shorter to keep me a little fresher.

“I haven’t played a game in three weeks now, so my lungs might be a little bit different for myself. … Just shorter periods to make sure I have my lungs with me.”

Before her injury, Clark was averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 9.3 assists, with a shooting accuracy of 40.3 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from beyond the arc across five games.