After Caitlin Clark dazzled the WNBA and ended the Indiana Fever's playoff drought as a rookie, expectations for the star guard and her team were sky-high entering 2025. The Fever nearly met those expectations -- but Clark had only a minor on-court role.
The Fever upset the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the WNBA playoffs and pushed the Las Vegas Aces to a winner-take-all Game 5 in the semifinals. There, Indiana suffered an overtime loss that ended its season -- mere minutes from a first WNBA finals appearance in 10 years.
Clark had suffered a right groin injury on July 15 that ultimately ended her season after only 13 games played. On Sept. 4, Clark confirmed she would not play again in 2025, as her body was not responding to her diligent efforts to return to the court.
"No one worked harder than Caitlin," Fever general manager Amber Cox said Thursday during the Fever's exit interviews. "Nobody wanted to be out on the court more than Caitlin."
Cox though sees a silver lining in Clark's unexpected extended absence. She told the media Thursday that Clark, a two-time All-Star at 23 years old, is preparing to hit "another level" when she returns to the hardwood in 2026.
"I think we’re going to see another level, which is unbelievable to even think about," Cox said.
Cox, in part, on Caitlin Clark: “I’m so looking forward to what next year is going to look like for her, because I think we’re going to see another level, which is unbelievable to even think about.”
— hank 🇰🇷 👻 (@Brian_Haenchen) October 2, 2025
Clark was a constant -- and vocal -- presence on the sideline throughout her injury absence, traveling with the Fever to every game even though she could not play. Cox called her a "great teammate" and a "leader" who put aside her own difficulties for the good of a team that showed great determination throughout the campaign.
"I’m really proud of her," Cox continued. "Great teammate, great in the locker room, consistently showed up in the same way as a leader, with her voice, which is really hard to do when you’re going through something like that. Proud of her and looking forward to having her back on the court.”
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