With a decisive Game 3 on the horizon, it's now or never for the Indiana Fever.
After dropping Game 1 to the Atlanta Dream, the Fever protected their home court with an impressive 17-point win in Game 2 despite the absence of Caitlin Clark and five other injured players. Indiana's timely response sets up a decisive Game 3 back on Atlanta's home floor Thursday.
The All-Star duo of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston fueled Indiana's bounce-back showing in Game 2, but will the Fever have their third All-Star back in the lineup for the winner-takes-all Game 3?
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Here is what to know about Clark's status for Game 3 in Atlanta.
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Is Caitlin Clark playing tonight vs. Dream?
Clark is out for Game 3 of the series with a right groin injury, per the Fever injury report.
The Game 3 designation for Clark aligns with her announcement that she would be out for the remainder of 2025.
When is Caitlin Clark returning?
On Thursday, Sept. 4, Clark took to social media to say that "I will not be returning to play this season," adding that "I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there."
I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season. 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… pic.twitter.com/paD5sEYG1q
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) September 5, 2025
Clark has been sidelined since sustaining a groin injury on July 15. She also suffered an ankle injury during the rehab process in an attempt to return to play.
While she's been sidelined, Clark has been her team's most vocal supporter.
Can’t explain what I felt in this moment https://t.co/q3TazRjyDY
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) September 17, 2025
Clark finished her second WNBA season having played in 13 of a possible 44 games, posting averages of 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game while shooting 36.7 percent from the field and 27.9 percent from 3-point range.
MORE: Revisiting Caitlin Clark's injury woes in 2025
Fever vs. Dream schedule, scores, results
Here is the series schedule for the first-round series between Indiana and Atlanta. The teams will meet for a decisive Game 3 on Thursday, Sept. 18, and the winner will advance to face either the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces or the No. 7 Seattle Storm.
| Date | Game/Result | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Sept. 14 | Dream 80, Fever 68 | — | — |
| Sept. 16 | Fever 77, Dream 60 | — | — |
| Sept. 18 | Fever at Dream | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
*If necessary