Not all is well within the Indiana Fever. With Sophie Cunningham ruled out for the rest of the season and Caitlin Clark sidelined after another health scare, the cracks in the roster have been laid bare. As the sixth standing team in the 2025 regular games so far, recent injuries left the Fever backcourt stretched thinner, acting as an opposing force as the league heads into the playoffs.

First, it was Caitlin Clark, then Aari McDonald, and now, Sophie Cunningham. Every injury gnawed away at the formidable point guard presence. Despite the last-minute veteran additions in Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy, the absence of a true point guard forced HC Stephanie White to shake lineups and lean predominantly on Kelsey Mitchell to carry the load.

So, on being asked, “How do you kind of get a big and a point guard synergy going as fast as possible as a coach? Or is that on them more than anything you can do?” the HC did not sugarcoat the WNBA players’ different treatment of Caitlin Clark. “I think that we help prioritize what we’re looking for out of some of those actions,” Stephanie White told reporter Tony East. With her eyes set on the prize, White hinted at her priorities.

“People play somebody like Caitlin differently than they’re going to play Odyssey or they’re going to play Shey,” she explained in the latest interview. “They play Kelsey differently than they’re going to play Odyssey or they’re going to play Shey.” Pointing at how each player on the team could fulfil those expectations, the HC reflected on the original guards versus the hardship joiners.

She shared that different teams might use the players in different positions on the hardwood in order to achieve a certain result. Further hinting at Caitlin Clark, the head coach remembered that she changed Clark’s position to off-the-ball play earlier this season. “So, what are we looking for? How are we looking to get her the ball? And in off-ball actions as well, like where are some high priorities that we can get it? It’s instinctual,” White said.

Speaking with respect to Clark, HC White said that the coaching staff would try to think of ways of capitalizing on every opportunity. They need to think and make harsh decisions beforehand and during the games. They need to come up with stark solutions before sending the athletes into the paint. And the prime example of this was the fruitful Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston relationship. The two had a strong understanding and communication, which translated into a threat for their opponents.

“Not a lot of players have that instinct that it was like with CC and AB. So, really prioritizing getting some work together, getting some work in the two-man,” White added. “Understanding in certain other actions that we run or certain other play calls that we have how and where we want to get AB the ball. And, the other thing that’s affected AB is now she’s got to be like a secondary ball handler for us. She does a really good job of getting us into next action as well.”

Besides appreciating the popular on-court partnership, White emphasised on a reprised role for Aliyah Boston. In the absence of Clark, the athlete will step up and act as a secondary ball handler for Indiana Fever. Having said that, Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham stepped in as ball handlers for the roster after Clark was sidelined for the first time this season.

Caitlin Clark undergoes another Injury Scare

Despite no return timetable, the recent update on Caitlin Clark came as a shock for fans and reporters alike. Fans patiently waited for their favorite Fever player make a solid comeback. However, insider Scott Agness spilled the plans of Clark’s possible return this season. IndyStar reporter Chloe Peterson first took to social media to update fans on the situation surrounding Caitlin Clark.

Shutting down every rumor of Clark’s immediate return to the roster, Peterson wrote on X, “Sources confirm to me that Caitlin Clark suffered a “very mild” bone bruise in her left ankle on Aug. 7. Scott Agness first. 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.”

This injury comes before Sydney Colson or Aari McDonald were declared out. Moreover, Clark twisted her ankle during a workout session in Phoenix, before the team faced the opponents. While Peterson shared the news online, it was Agness to report on the matter.

Despite 13 appearances, Caitlin Clark has missed out on 22 games this season. After missing five games owing to a left quad sprain, she suffered two groin injuries that have kept her sidelined to date. Whether Clark rejoins the roster or sits out the season is a different debate altogether. The real question is: can HC White command the revamped roster through the storm?