Caitlin Clark has suffered a left quadriceps strain and will miss a minimum of two weeks, the Indiana Fever announced Monday, May 26. The team did not provide futher information about the injury and noted additional informatin will follow a re-evaluation.
The news isn't great for Fever fans and the players alike. Clark is a central piece to the team's offensive and defensive schemes, and it's unclear who will replace her on the court. Coach White has experimented with playing Clark off the ball in recent games, which might offer an indication of how the team will strategize around her absence.
The Indiana Fever has a relatively light slate of games ahead of the team. They will face the Mystics on Wednesday, the Sun on Friday, the Mystics again the following Tuesday, and the Chicago Sky on Saturday, June 7.
The given timeline will mean the earliest Clark can be expected to be back on the court is June 9, in time for the Commissioner's Cup.
What is a quadriceps strain?
A quadriceps strain is an injury to the the thigh muscles. Symptoms vary based on the severity of the injury and include swelling, pain, tenderness, and bruising. The injury usually happens due to excess running, sprinting, kicking, or sudden changes in direction, which can result in a movement that injures the muscle in question.
When will Caitlin Clark be back on the court?
It's currently unclear when Clark will return to the game. If she is given the greenlight in two weeks, she will be able to play in the Fever's June 10 game against the Atlanta Dream.
Who will play for Caitlin Clark?
It's currently unclear who will take over for Clark on the court. Veteran Sydney Colson was brought on to the Fever as a back up guard and could assume the role, but the team has plenty of options and it's likely Coach White has prepared for every possible scenario, including one that unfortunately sees Clark out of the game for a short period of time.
Colson averaged under 10 minutes per game at the Aces last season. This doesn't necessarily speak to her skills on the floor, and she definitely made the most of the time she was allotted (Colson averaged 8 minutes per game last season with 2.5 points, 1 assist, and .5 rebounds). Colson, a 10-year veteran of the league, has repeatedly proven herself to fans and other teams alike.