Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s standout guard and 2024 Rookie of the Year, remains sidelined with a right groin injury that has now kept her out for at least nine straight games—including the most recent match against the Phoenix Mercury—after first being hurt late in a July 15 game versus the Connecticut Sun. There is still no official timeline for her return.

The organization offered a glimmer of reassurance on July 24, revealing that follow-up medical evaluations found no additional damage. Yet, they emphasized that Clark’s recovery remains strictly “day-to-day,” with no rushed timetable in place.

Head coach Stephanie White has repeatedly echoed this cautious approach, underscoring that the team’s priority is Clark’s long-term health and ensuring a careful ramp-up through rehab and conditioning before she re-enters full basketball activity

There are some encouraging signs. According to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Clark has begun full-court, full-speed running in recent days—though she isn’t yet back to full basketball drills. Rowe also noted that Clark could realistically be ready to return in the third week of August, pending steady progress.

It’s been a turbulent season for Clark. She’s appeared in just 13 games out of the Fever’s first 26, causing her season to be hampered by multiple soft-tissue injuries—including a left quadriceps strain earlier in the year before the groin setback.

 When she has played, her numbers have dipped—averaging 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game, with shooting percentages lagging at 36.7% from the field and 27.9% from three.

Even more frustrating, Clark had to withdraw from the WNBA All-Star Game and the 3-point contest, events the Fever hosted at their home arena—a disappointment for fans and the league alike.

While Clark’s recovery stalls, the Fever have shown resilience. Despite her absence, they’ve navigated the season to maintain competitiveness, currently sitting at a 17-13 record and securing a spot roughly in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings.

Key contributions are coming from additions like Aari McDonald and Chloe Bibby, while Aliyah Boston continues to shine—averaging a career-high 15.5 points per game and anchoring the lineup with consistency.

On and off the court, the effects of Clark’s absence are palpable. Rivals Week, an event designed to ignite star matchups, has lost much of its luster—without marquee names like Clark,

Angel Reese, and Breanna Stewart in action. Meanwhile, the “Caitlin Clark effect”—her influence on attendance, viewership, and franchise valuation—continues to underscore the void her absence has created. Forbes estimated the Fever are now the second-most valuable WNBA franchise, with much of that credited to her popularity.

As August progresses, speculation grows. If her rehab continues smoothly, a return in the latter half of the month could materialize—but with every step under scrutiny,

the Fever remain firm: Clark will return only when fully ready. For now, Indiana relies on rallying as a team in her absence and building momentum around her eventual comeback.