What was meant to be the year where Caitlin Clark could stake her claim in the MVP conversation… instead became a tale of frustration and heartbreak. Plagued by three separate injuries to her quadriceps and groin, her sophomore campaign was cut short to just 13 games.

“I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season. I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling. I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty…”

Those words from Caitlin Clark, shared just days before the playoffs, hit like a gut punch. The entire league froze for a moment. The Fever’s heartbeat, their floor general, was done for the year.

The Fever, however, turned what could have been a disappointing season into something remarkable. Even without their superstar, they reached the semifinals, captured their first playoff series win in a decade, and came agonizingly close to making the finals. Achieving all of this without their talisman was no small feat and spoke volumes about the grit and depth of this team.

No doubt that as Clark continues her steady comeback from injury, the rest of the league should stay alert. Coach White noted that she’s aiming to return to full 5-on-5 play by late October. For now, she’s easing in with smaller drills, like 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 sessions, focusing on rebuilding her rhythm and strength.

And that prompted the Indiana Fever to post a season review for their superstar, highlighting both her highs and the relentless lows she faced this year. In the review written by Madie Chandler-Donahue, several points were highlighted, which included positives like “Clark earned nearly 1.3 million fan votes to become an All-Star, allowing her to be an All-Star captain for the first time in her career” and “Clark’s season remained eventful from the sidelines as Gainbridge Fieldhouse hosted her signature logo launch in late August. Every fan received a shirt with Clark’s logo on it.”

However, the review left many thinking about the what-ifs. What if Clark never got injured? So, fans quickly rallied around Clark, showing overwhelming support as she tries to make a resounding comeback after navigating one of the toughest seasons of her career.

Fans react to Caitlin Clark’s season review

“She’s the goat ♥️,” one fan wrote after seeing the review, which covered everything Clark went through this season–from battling injuries to captaining the team in the All-Star game, and even staying active on the sidelines to support her teammates. Another fan joined in to say, “My goat damn those injuries but we’ll be here right after that cba.”

Clark’s season might have been limited to just 13 games, but those 13 games were filled with drama and action. It all started with a bang. Clark dropped a 20-point triple-double in the opener against the Sky, immediately showing why she’s so special.

Her 32-point performance against the Liberty, where she hit 11 treys, quickly became the defining moment of her year. But injuries, especially her persistent groin issue, kept her from hitting those heights again, ultimately forcing her and the team to accept she wouldn’t return in time. “BRO I miss my demon sooooo much 🥹,” one fan admitted, echoing the heartbreak felt across Fever Nation.

Maybe having Clark available for Game 5 of the semifinals could have swung the series in the Fever’s favor? We’ll never know. But what’s certain is that Indiana wouldn’t have made it that far without Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, and some fans were quick to point that out.

“Remember Clark got hurt and the team with these 3 got one game within the finals with backups who actually can play defense and if they would have made the finals instead of vegas the fever would have won it all without clark,” one fan wrote, clearly making sure Mitchell and Boston got the credit they deserved.

Both Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston earned spots on the All-WNBA teams thanks to stellar performances throughout the season. Mitchell finished averaging 20.2 points and 3.4 assists per game, breaking the franchise record for most points in a single season. Her scoring helped fill the void left by Caitlin Clark and earned her a spot on the All-WNBA First Team. Meanwhile, Boston claimed a place on the All-WNBA Second Team after posting career highs of 15 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, cementing her status as one of the league’s top centers.

The Indiana Fever account also shared a quote from Caitlin Clark: “I want to be the best. I want to win for my teammates. I want to win for this franchise.” But fans were quick to weigh in, pointing out that such an achievement won’t happen unless certain things change. One fan even called out the current coaching staff, led by Stephanie White, as part of the problem.

“Caitlin Clark, I hate to say it, but it won’t happen with this management or coaching staff. They are more focused on dimming your light than working with you to brighten it,” the fan said.

Many pointed to Coach White, blaming her for not maximizing Clark’s potential this season, which saw her average dip to 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. As the review also noted, “Through 13 games, Clark shot 40 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from deep. Both marks are just marginally lower than her rookie year on similar volume.”

Naturally, fans compared White’s approach to Christie Sides, arguing that Sides did a better job highlighting Clark as the focal point, while White tried to balance everyone. Another fan reiterated the same saying, “Can’t do that if they don’t build around her and her play style, give her the keys to the offense, and let her be her.”

Both strategies had merit, but White’s approach still guided the Fever to the semifinals, a feat Sides hadn’t managed. On the flip side, the team had to endure a series of injuries; five players suffered season-ending setbacks, which fans argue were partly due to how the coaching staff managed training. Whatever the cause, one thing is clear: going forward, Caitlin Clark’s availability will be absolutely crucial for the Fever’s success.

Coach White will also need to ensure the team stays healthy and avoids another injury crisis, though she can’t control everything. With the new CBA expected to come into effect soon, more than 80% of the league will hit free agency, making it White’s top priority to retain key players. If a deal isn’t reached in time, a lockout could throw the entire offseason into chaos.