When Caitlin Clark moved to the sidelines for the third time this season, that was all there was to it– a groin injury that would keep her out indefinitely. But as the regular season draws to an end and Stephanie White’s updates still read “hasn’t started practicing yet,” the absence has conveniently turned into theories and speculations. The reigning ROTY may have time and again expressed her hunger to get back on court, but a couple of analysts can’t help but think beyond.

It’s been well over a month since we last saw Caitlin Clark suit up for the Fever, and over 10 days since White revealed the guard was running full court with all of her bodyweight. 8 games remain in the season and no consistent practice sessions as of yet. It welcomed a few theories. One was from Skip Bayless: “Maybe Caitlin Clark has taken a couple of “injury” breaks just because she needed a mental break from all the jealousy and resentment and bullying and cheap shot.” And today, Jason Whitlock put forth another.

“Five weeks, no discussion with the media? Caitlin Clark doesn’t mind talking to the media,” the columnist began on his show ‘Fearless with Jason Whitlock’. “Caitlin Clark’s been travelling with the Indiana Fever, standing on her feet, signing autographs… She’s been doing physical activity. There have been reports she’s doing some full-court running. She’s close to this. She’s close to that. And now, from out of nowhere looks like she may never play this season!”

It’s true that the Fever have been treading cautiously with regard to Clark’s injury. A spokesperson conveyed early this week that her complete recovery was the priority, giving the guard as much time as she needed to get there. But for Whitlock, the answer isn’t simple. He believes Clark’s been purposefully kept off the games and the cameras to make way for someone else: Paige Bueckers. The Dallas rookie, whose entire season has been made about chasing Clark’s record, finds herself in a few conversations.

“They [The WNBA] would be very comfortable with Paige Bueckers as the face of the league.” Whitlock added. “She’s a lesbian. She scored 44 points last night. She’s got a special whistle. The league is trying to lean into Paige Bueckers because she fits the profile of what they want.”

It doesn’t help that Draymond Green sparked some conversations after writing, “So I just came across this post on ESPNW IG… and I found the picture interesting. Is there a shift happening? Is Paige quickly becoming the face of the W?” The Wings rookie had just dropped a 44-point performance, inviting applause from all over– including Ja Morant, Magic Johnson, and Chet Holmgren among others. That was some deserving recognition. But if we use a purely statistical approach, both players had nearly identical rookie stats.

For reference, Bueckers is averaging 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals each night. On the other hand, CC put up 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.3 steals during her rookie year. Either of the two would work really well as the face of the league, but that’s not the point that Whitlock was trying to make.

Until last month, Caitlin Clark’s dominance was praised to the high heavens. It’s only after her injury, and after the radio silence on Indiana’s end, that the narratives started to change. So what exactly is going on with the Indiana Fever star? And what’s this about a bone bruise?

Is Caitlin Clark’s return being impacted by her ankle injury?

Let’s set the scene here. It’s been over a month since Caitlin Clark played any sort of professional basketball. The Indiana Fever star has been rehabbing a groin strain for the last four weeks, and we don’t know when she’s going to return. Initially, analysts predicted that the six-foot-tall guard would be back in mid-August, but that didn’t fall through.

The WNBA community did get some news about Caitlin Clark’s injury a couple of days ago, but it wasn’t that great. Chloe Peterson, a renowned journalist from the IndyStar, reported, “Sources confirm to me that Caitlin Clark suffered a “very mild” bone bruise in her left ankle on Aug. 7. @ScottAgness first.” However, the reporter was quick to clarify that this minor injury did not impact CC’s availability. “Source also stresses that this does not tweaked ankle does not affect her return timeline. Sans ankle injury, she would still be out rehabbing her groin.” 

Simple enough, until a few didn’t think so. Most analysts agree that the bone bruise definitely impacted Clark’s return to the sport. Rachel DeMita even addressed it in the latest episode of the Courtside Club! “I honestly call BS on that,” she said, stating that the injury does affect CC’s timeline. “I don’t know how it doesn’t. If you suffer any sort of injury, especially when she’s rehabbing a leg injury, and then you have an injury that’s also happening to the lower portion of your body? To me, I call BS on that.”

Whatever may be the truth, Scott Agness says there’s a hope that Clark might be reintegrated into practice by next week. However, if the Fever will follow through, given the state of the team — 3 guards out for the season and a tough schedule in place — remains to be seen. But the longer the uncertainty, more the theories.