Caitlin Clark Sparks Concern Among WNBA FansCaitlin Clark (Photo By Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The Indiana Fever knew things would get tough without Caitlin Clark, but reality hit harder than expected.

In their first game without the star rookie, the Fever stumbled to an 83-77 loss to the Washington Mystics. The offense struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 39.7% from the field. It wasn’t just about missing buckets, they were missing their leader.

Clark, sidelined with a quad injury, is expected to miss at least two weeks. Her absence left a noticeable gap, not only in scoring but in pace and decision-making. The team tried to rally, but energy alone couldn’t make up for the void. Even veteran guard Sophie Cunningham admitted the loss stung.

“This was kind of a gut punch for us,” she said via CBS Sports. “We’re gonna come back tomorrow at practice more focused, with more energy.”

Fans Fear Clark Could Be Rushed Back

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (Photo By Emily Faith Morgan- Imagn Images)
The growing concern isn’t just about the Fever’s performance. It’s about what might come next. After a second straight loss, this time to a previously winless Connecticut Sun squad, WNBA fans voiced a collective fear: that Clark might rush her recovery to help bail out her struggling team.

“The Indiana Fever better not rush Caitlin Clark back from injury,” one fan posted, echoing the mood across social media.

Another added, “My fear is now they’re going to try and rush Caitlin Clark back and that will be a very poor decision from the organization.”

The frustration didn’t come out of nowhere. Indiana, despite talent on paper, has yet to find a groove without their rookie star. Aaliyah Boston and DeWanna Bonner gave it a solid push on Friday night, but inconsistent showings from others, including Sydney Colson and Natasha Howard, cost them the game.

One fan summed it up bluntly: “Let’s be real here. Without CC this isn’t even a playoff team. She’s the piece that puts everything together.”

Clark is expected to be re-evaluated in mid-June, but that timeline isn’t locked in. The Fever will need to weigh long-term health over short-term gains. Rushing Clark back would be a risk the franchise can’t afford, especially with her standing as the face of both the team and a growing WNBA audience.

For now, Indiana has no choice but to regroup and find a way forward, without leaning on their brightest star before she’s ready.