The story of the Indiana Fever's 2025 season can be summed up in one word: injuries. They have been dealt the worst hand when it comes to facing adversity, and one of the biggest blows has been their star player being sidelined for over a month now. Caitlin Clark re-aggravated a right groin injury back on July 15 and hasn't touched the floor yet — that is, until Sunday's shootaround.
Fans have been anxiously awaiting any news on Clark and still want a potential date of return. The Fever however, have made it clear that until she puts in significant practice time to get back in the rhythm of game speed she won't be playing.
As expected, the team is taking the necessary precautions to make sure Clark is 100 percent ready to return. The Fever have been very much depleted for most of the season, making it difficult to build consistent chemistry and momentum. Injuries have compiled over the last two weeks after the team lost Sydney Colson (ACL tear), Aari McDonald (broken foot) and most recently, Sophie Cunningham (MCL tear) for the rest of the season. Having Clark back in the lineup would certainly provide more offensive strength.
Caitlin Clark appears to be nearing much needed return
On Sunday the IndyStar's Chloe Peterson reported Clark did in fact participate in basketball activities for the first time since her injury ahead of their game against the Lynx.
Caitlin Clark is participating in shootaround this morning, going through warmups then some non-contact drills with the second team.
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) August 24, 2025
She has not officially returned to practice, I’m told, but this her first time working with the team since her injury. https://t.co/xBYcjZM8zO pic.twitter.com/azG0kJ0L36
In addition to all of the losses they've faced this season, Clark has dealt with three different soft tissue injuries. This presented many challenges for her given the fact that she has never missed playing time due to injury dating all the way back to her days in high school. More notably, all three injuries have been to her lower body.
Clark did have a setback in her rehab after suffering a bone bruise in her ankle during a workout back on August 9. The Fever later confirmed that this did in fact impact her return from the groin injury. As the days passed the optimism grew smaller as fans began to lose hope that they would see their favorite star player again this season, but Sunday's news should bring some of that hope back. Given everything the team has been through this season, having a spark from Clark being back in the starting role would be just what they need. Being right in the middle of a tight playoff race and having the toughest remaining schedule in the WNBA, Clark's offensive fire power will be huge for the Fever.
With her not being a full participant in practice, this isn't the exact news that many were hoping for, but it certainly shows that she is progressing and is on the path to a full recovery.