Caitlin Clark Out at Least Two Weeks with Quad Injury

June 26, 2025 — Indianapolis, IN

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks after suffering a left quadriceps strain during a 90–88 loss to the New York Liberty on May 24, the team confirmed Monday .

Despite her remarkable durability—she played all 40 regular-season games during her rookie year and logged every game so far in her sophomore season—this marks Clark’s first official absence after a grueling 185-game streak dating back to college .

🔍 Injury Details & Timeline

The strain was diagnosed via MRI following the Liberty game, which medical staff confirmed as a quad strain, not related to preseason tightness .
Clark will sit out a minimum of four games, including matchups against the Mystics and Sun (10news.com).
The team will re‑evaluate her condition after two weeks to determine if she can return to action (athlonsports.com).

💔 Impact on the Fever

Head Coach Stephanie White stressed the importance of caution over haste:

“It gives us an opportunity for growth… She’ll see things from a coach’s perspective and learn more about the game.” (bleacherreport.com)

With Clark sidelined, veteran guard Sydney Colson will step into the starting role, while Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham are expected to handle more offensive responsibilities (cbssports.com).

📈 Broader Context: Fever’s Season & WNBA Viewership

The Fever began the season solidly at 2–2. Clark’s quad strain emerges at a critical juncture as the team seeks consistency (cbssports.com).

Her absence also reverberates through the WNBA landscape. During her five-game absence earlier this season:

TV ratings dipped by more than 50%
Ticket resale prices for Fever games dropped by nearly 70% (forbes.com, sfchronicle.com).

Upon her return, Clark helped ignite a 102–88 victory over the Liberty, scoring 32 points and nearly recording a triple-double on ABC—a game that became one of the network’s most-watched WNBA broadcasts ever (reuters.com).

💪 Clark’s Role & the Road Ahead

Known for averaging around 19 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds this season, Clark remains the engine of the Fever’s offense (talksport.com).

Coach White stressed the need for patience and deeper understanding. She believes this hiatus offers Clark insight into game strategy from the sideline (cbssports.com).

Clark echoed that sentiment, recently stating she’s “feeling good” and will proceed “day by day” in consultation with medical staff (bleacherreport.com).

🏀 What Fans Can Expect

Short-term: Strong performances from Colson and Mitchell to carry the offense
By mid-June: A hopeful, cautious return by Clark ahead of rematch matchups, including against Chicago Sky featuring Angel Reese (forbes.com)
Long-term: Clark’s complete recovery is key not only for Fever’s playoff aspirations but also for maintaining WNBA’s rising popularity

📝 Final Takeaway

Caitlin Clark’s quad strain is a significant development—marking her first WNBA absence and testing the Fever’s resilience. But with veteran leadership and a cautious approach, the organization is focused on ensuring her full recovery and growth—both as a player and leader. When she returns, both her team and the league will welcome back one of women’s basketball’s brightest stars.

🔗 Related Articles

Early WNBA season storylines: Clark-Reese rivalry, growth amid challenges (10news.com, theguardian.com)
Caitlin Clark’s return scores massive ratings on ABC (reuters.com)
Fever HC says Clark’s injury is an ‘opportunity for growth’ (bleacherreport.com)
What explains the Fever’s inconsistency? (swishappeal.com)

timesofindia.indiatimes.com
theguardian.com
reuters.com