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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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Following an eventful offseason in which the team made several head-turning acquisitions including six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner, guard Sophie Cunningham, and former Coach of the Year Stephanie White, many analysts were picking the Indiana Fever as a possible WNBA Finals team.
But fast forward nearly five months, and the Fever have not only been ravaged by injuries but they're just one game above .500 and may be limping (literally) into the playoffs.
Star player Caitlin Clark has played just 13 of the Fever's 41 games after suffering multiple injuries, including a hand, quadriceps, ankle, and two different groin ailments.
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Indiana also lost guards Sydney Colson (torn ACL), Aari McDonald (broken foot), and Cunningham (leg), plus forward Chloe Bibby (knee) to season-ending injuries, and Bonner was released midseason after a public falling out with the team.
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Though the team has filled spots along the way, including re-adding guard Bree Hall on Thursday, the Fever and their fans have been quietly waiting for Clark to make her return.
The reigning Rookie of the Year finally put an end to any speculation about when she might play again in a length social media post on Thursday night.
"I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season," Clark wrote on X. "I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn't a big enough word to describe how I am feeling. I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty.
"This has been incredibly frustrating, but even in the bad, there is good. The way the fans continued to show up for me, and for the Fever, brought me so much joy and important perspective. I am so proud of how this team has only gotten stronger through adversity this year. Now it's time to close out the season and claim our spot in the Playoffs🖤."
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The Fever have just three games left this season — Sept. 5 against the Chicago Sky, Sept. 7 against the Washington Mystics, and Sept. 9 against the Minnesota Lynx.
If the Fever do make the playoffs — the Los Angeles Sparks are just 1.5 games behind Indiana, though they'd need to win out to pass the Fever in the standings — they'll have to make a run at a championship without her.
"While we will continue working with Caitlin and provide her with every resource we have available, there is not enough time left in our season for her to safely return, and her long-term health and well-being remains our top priority," Indiana Fever COO and GM Amber Cox said in a release. "We are looking forward to having her back at full strength to start the 2026 season."
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