When the Indiana Fever listed Caitlin Clark as “questionable” ahead of their preseason game against the Washington Mystics, hearts sank across the country. This wasn’t just any rookie. This was Caitlin Clark—the 2024 Rookie of the Year, the face of the franchise, and a player who hadn’t missed a single game in her college or WNBA career. So when she was ruled out just before tip-off, the concern turned into full-blown panic. Had she finally hit a wall? Well, Clark later eased those fears with a smile and a classic baller quote: “Every basketball player’s had an ankle injury,” she said. “If you haven’t, you’re not a true baller, I guess. I don’t know. It’ll be a little stiff, but I’ll be good.” That one line, I’ll be good,was enough to help fans exhale. Still, with no game action and no footage since, people kept refreshing their feeds, waiting for more news. Was it really just minor? Would she miss more time? Well, days have passed since then, and the Fever has finally unveiled a positive update.

It all came up when Clark reportedly bumped knees with a practice player during a team session on May 2. Understandably, the initial discomfort raised eyebrows. But now, with some time passed, it’s becoming clear that the injury isn’t as serious as it first seemed.

In fact, a video posted on X by an eyewitness shows Clark lightly running after practice, a reassuring sign that she’s recovering well.

While the team has remained vague, only referring to the issue as a “left leg injury,” Clark herself mentioned it was “just a little tightness.”

And that did seem to be it as she was seen pedalling on a stationary bike during Sunday’s game. In case you’re unaware, stationary bikes are commonly used to keep muscles warm and loose during periods of rest, helping to prevent stiffness or cramps. But this isn’t all. Later in the fourth quarter, Clark also had a cooling pack wrapped around her thigh, another clue pointing toward muscle tightness rather than anything structural or long-term.

Even more encouraging? When Clark met with the media at practice on Wednesday, there were no visible signs of taping or bracing on her leg. No limp. No strain. Nothing indicated a lingering issue. She also participated in several parts of the session, which speaks volumes about her current condition.

Still, despite all these promising signs, Fever head coach Stephanie White has a unique perspective. And honestly, it makes sense, this team has been here before when it comes to dealing with injured players. Take last season, for example, when Kelsey Mitchell went down with an injury in the final game.

She shed the brace and tried to get back into the game, but her teammates just laughed. Why? Because they all knew the truth: the team wasn’t going to let that happen, no matter what. For them, player health always comes first. And that was even after early confirmation that Mitchell’s injury wasn’t serious.

That was the team that made it to its first playoffs since 2016. But now? The Fever are starting a new era. One that, with the right pieces, practice, and experience, could bring them real success. Soon, Indiana could become a force to be reckoned with in the WNBA. And I’ve been lucky enough to document the beginning of that journey—both in Indianapolis and on the road.

The most important piece in that process? Caitlin Clark. Undeniably. That’s why the Fever are being extra cautious with her. And honestly, why wouldn’t they be? Clark isn’t just another player. She’s the engine that drives this team. In her rookie season, she didn’t just show up—she delivered. Clark led the entire WNBA in assists with 8.4 per game and set an incredible 19 individual records.

“I think recovery is everything,” Mitchell said. “If you’re in tune with your body, you know what you need. The young ones—specifically Caitlin—hopefully they take more time, be in tune with that this year. Especially with the back-to-backs.”

Even in Year 2, during the Fever’s recent preseason game against Brazil, Clark looked sharp, dropping 16 points and grabbing six rebounds with ease.

But make no mistake: this isn’t just the Fever being cautious. This is the Fever being deliberate. They know what they have in Caitlin Clark. And they’re making sure nothing derails what’s building in Indiana.

The Indiana Fever is opting to err on the side of caution for Caitlin Clark.

It all comes up with Caitlin Clark’s transition from collegiate basketball to WNBA. For her it marked a significant step in terms of physicality and intensity. While she demonstrated remarkable resilience by playing through injuries during her time at Iowa, the professional league presents a more demanding environment.

No doubt, the W’s players has higher rate of game-related injuries compared to their NBA counterparts. Specifically, WNBA athletes have an injury rate of 24.9 per 1,000 athlete exposures, surpassing the NBA’s 19.3 per 1,000. Lower extremity injuries, such as ankle sprains and ACL tears, are particularly prevalent, accounting for a significant portion of these injuries .

Well, Clark herself has acknowledged the heightened physical demands of W. So, this simply means, the team is resting her to prevent her from the physicality of the league.

While Caitlin Clark clearly can play right now, it’s fair to ask—would she have suited up for Sunday’s game if it hadn’t been at Iowa? It was a special homecoming, after all, and the atmosphere at Carver-Hawkeye Arena was electric. Still, whether or not that influenced the decision, one thing’s clear: the Fever are taking no chances with their most valuable player.

“She’s been limited in practice, so we’re still very cautious about working her way back and really letting her body kind of tell her how much she’s able to do,” head coach Stephanie White explained.

And honestly, that approach makes perfect sense.

But the real jaw-dropper? A 36-foot bomb from behind the logo on her old home court. That shot wasn’t just deep—it was a reminder of exactly what she brings to the table. So yeah, it’s no wonder Coach White is proceeding with care.

“We’re really relying on the training staff, and she’s making great progress,” White added. “And that’s what we need—just to make sure that we’re super cautious.”

Because if the Fever are serious about their goals this season—and all signs say they are—they’ll need Clark at full strength. Especially since Fever is aiming to turn the corner in a big way. They’ve already made some power moves: bringing in a championship-calibre coach in White and adding seasoned veterans like DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Sophie Cunningham to build around Clark.

But none of it works if their star isn’t healthy.

So for now, the Fever are playing it smart. The fans may want to see Clark back out there ASAP, but it’s clear that getting her to 100% is priority number one. Whether she plays in the next preseason matchup or not, all eyes are on May 17—the regular season opener against the Chicago Sky. That’s when the real journey begins. And from the looks of it, Clark’s right on track to lead the way. What do you think???