“I’ve made a lot of progress and I feel good, but I’m not going to rush my way back if it’s not worth it,” Caitlin Clark had said a few days ago. She was sidelined almost two weeks ago, having suffered a sprain in the left quadriceps. And while the Fever superstar indicated returning to the team by June 10, 2025, she also prioritised her health and specified not rushing into the games, if her health demands so. As Tuesday inches closer with each passing hour, things might not look as promising for the superstar on the hardwood.

Fever head coach Stephanie White made a shocking revelation regarding Clark’s playing status ahead of the match against Atlanta Dream. IndyStar sports reporter Chloe Peterson took to X and shared a clip where HC White cleared the air and denied Clark’s presence on the hardwood. This update received a mixed reaction from fans who were waiting on Clark’s return.

Peterson captioned the post as “Caitlin Clark will not play tomorrow, Steph White says. She’s not necessarily cleared for basketball activities, but ready to start “ramping back up.” Sophie Cunningham was also limited in practice today.“

Caitlin Clark will not play tomorrow, Steph White says.

She’s not necessarily cleared for basketball activities, but is ready to start “ramping back up.”

Sophie Cunningham was also limited in practice today.

More: pic.twitter.com/jvehgM7VYv

— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2025

The clip was taken during the team’s latest practice session. The head coach also revealed that despite Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham’s ongoing practice, the two athletes are deemed unfit to step on the court. “Not for tomorrow, no,” was White’s reaction on being asked whether Clark will play tomorrow.

“I think for us, we’ve got to work both her and Sophie back into: are they in basketball condition? You know, what does it mean to go live?” White said. The Indiana Fever will have to assess the players as absolutely fit in condition before allowing them back with the team.

“It’s one thing to do some shooting drills, it’s another thing to get out there on the floor, get back into movements, patterns, rhythm, timing. And so, that’s part of picking and choosing things that can be at practice so we can see their progression.” And while she has shown considerable progress during practice, seems like the 2024 ROTY is not completely ready for the regular games. At least not for now.

Since both Cunningham and Clark have spent a significant amount of time tending to their respective injuries, it will take time to get back to playing professionally. “Both of them being out for long periods of time, you’ve got to work your way back into being game-ready,” the HC added.

While absence makes the heart grow fonder, can Caitlin Clark’s return to Indiana Fever change the locker room dynamics drastically? Or will she take off from where the team left off and propel them towards the perfect storybook ending? That remains to be seen. But as the third-ranked team in Eastern Conference division standings, it will not take long for them to climb the ladder. 

Indiana Fever clinches another massive 79-52 victory

The season opener was nothing short of dramatic for Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. There were fireworks on the court as the rivals locked horns on May 17, 2025, in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena. And everyone, from Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to the referees, was dragged through the mud. And while we are aware of the drama that ensued, Fever managed to amass a 93-58 win.

Was it the Caitlin Clark Effect or was Chicago Sky intimidated? Guess, we’ll never know. But what we know is that even Angel Reese’s blowing kiss to the booing audience couldn’t save her team from the crushing defeat. But this was just the first game! And Reese & Co. still had a chance to redeem their win.

However, when the Indiana Fever landed at the United Centre arena in game two against the Chicago Sky, many things had changed. Fever star Caitlin Clark and guard Sophie Cunningham were not a part of the active players. Besides, the team was without their head coach, Stephanie White.

And as a team that suffered a fair share of the 2024 ROTY’s absence, they were unfazed against the Sky. Led by acting head coach, Austin Kelly, the team showed spectacular progress. Thanks to Aari McDonald, whose early three-pointers worked wonders for the Fever.

Moreover, Kelsey Mitchell led the team with a fast break layup and provided a 17-7 lead in the first quarter. If that wasn’t enough, the Sky teammates also helped Fever clinch the victory. With 19 turnovers in their belt, the Sky only made 18 points of 56 (32.1%) from the field. While Reese scored 12 rebounds, Kamilla Cardoso and Rebecca Allen could only grab 8 points each.

As veteran Courtney Vandersloot was sidelined due to an ACL tear, could she have been the key piece to save Sky from falling? Or would Vandersloot’s presence add woes to the sinking ship as Chicago went down by a whopping 27 points? Well, if the team keeps dishing similar performances against Indiana Fever, then they are doomed this season.