After months of speculation, endless questions about her return, and spending several hours in the gym with a singular goal to get back out there, Caitlin Clark finally announced, “I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season.” The decision to prioritize her long-term fitness came on Thursday evening, and inevitably, weighed heavy for CC and fans alike who’d specifically buy game tickets when she was playing. They have three more games to play, against the Sky, Mystics, and Lynx, and it is yet to be seen if they will be able to seal their place in the postseason.

If you ask Chicago’s Dr. Jeremy Alland, he will tell you there’s a silver lining shining through it all. Appearing on FOX 32 Chicago’s Chicago Now, Dr. Alland pointed out a positive side to Caitlin Clark’s announcement. He said, “She has to face the media every single day and certainly social media, and is probably tired of hearing the question ‘when are you coming back?’ I think when you shut her down and she says, ‘I’m not coming back this season,’ it really takes a load off her, and she can focus on getting better.

“She doesn’t have to answer those questions anymore, doesn’t have a timeline anymore, if I get back for playoffs, and so on and so forth. I think she can really just focus on herself, and it usually goes a lot better.” Perhaps, he is right. After never having missed a single game in her rookie year, Clark appeared in just 13 games in 2025, finishing off with 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds a game. Persistent inquiries about her return are a reminder of the expectations placed on her. If Fever lost, guess who found her name in the headlines? Despite her efforts to rehabilitate, the pressure to return intensified. 

Her troubles began with left quadriceps tightness during training camp, which later developed into a more significant left quad strain in May. This was followed by a left groin injury on June 26. Despite these setbacks, Clark made her return to the court on July 9 against the Golden State Valkyries. In that game, she contributed 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in just under 25 minutes of play. However, the Fever suffered an 80–61 loss, dropping their record to 9–10 on the season. Following this game, Clark played in three more contests. During this stretch, she struggled with her shooting, going 1-for-23 from beyond the arc. On July 15, in a game against the Connecticut Sun, Clark sustained a right groin injury in the final minutes, which ultimately ended her season.

But the decision to bring her back and how, too, was met with scrutiny. Experts said she was being brought in too soon. When she hurt her groin for the second time, sports physician Dr. Jesse Morse noted “compensation patterns” forming that added to the pre-existing vulnerability, potentially leading to a worse outcome with time.  Head coach Stephanie White, too, admitted to mishandling Clark’s injury and return timelines. 

Now, with Clark’s season officially over, the focus for the Indiana Fever has shifted from hoping for a deep playoff run to securing a spot in the postseason and proving they can compete without their star guard.

As the Fever prepare to face the Washington Mystics on September 7, every possession and performance takes on added significance. It’s a must-win game for them if they want to lock in their playoff berth and build momentum heading into the postseason. But it won’t be easy. 

Although the Mystics are eliminated from playoff contention and are on an eight-game losing streak, they lead the head-to-head against the Fever this season, 2-1. Props to talents like rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen on their roster, who could pose challenges for the Fever.

For Indiana to secure a win, Kelsey Mitchell will need to deliver a standout performance against Aliyah Boston, while Boston herself must continue her dominance in the paint. As for the guard position, despite injuries, they have Odyssey Sims has stepped up as a reliable ball-handler, providing stability to the backcourt.