Is Caitlin Clark out for WNBA playoffs? Updated injury timeline, status for rest of 2025 season

The Fever limped their way into the 2025 WNBA playoffs. If they had access to their most prominent player, Caitlin Clark, perhaps that wouldn't have been the case.

The second-year sensation authored a wondrous rookie campaign in 2024, landing a Rookie of the Year nod and All-WNBA first team appearance while placing fourth in MVP voting. Her sophomore season was a far more dour display, marked by lengthy spells on the sidelines and inconsistent showings on the floor.

Clark played 13 regular-season games in 2025. She was struck down by more injuries than most throughout the year, particularly injuries to her upper legs.

In her absence, Indiana floundered, falling well short of the heights many believed it would scale prior to the season.

There is still time for the Fever to make this season a memorable one. But with Clark on the mend for the foreseeable future, the odds don't look to be in Indiana's favor.

With that, here's what you need to know about Clark's status for the 2025 playoffs.

MORE: WNBA Playoffs schedule 2025

Is Caitlin Clark out for WNBA playoffs?

Clark will not be playing in the 2025 WNBA playoffs. The Fever guard was officially ruled out for the remainder of the season on Sept. 5. Clark made an announcement on social media confirming that she would not be suiting up anymore this season, praising her teammates for their efforts in her absence.

"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," Clark said.

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

All told, Clark played just shy of 30 percent of Indiana's regular season fixtures. She finished her season with averages of 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 5.1 turnovers on 36.7/27.9/82.0 shooting splits.

What happened to Caitlin Clark?

Clark was felled by a laundry list of injuries during her sophomore campaign. The 23-year old initially missed time with quad and left groin injuries. During a July 15 match with the Sun, she went down once more, appearing to pull her right groin while setting up Kelsey Mitchell for a basket.

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Clark was moved to tears following the incident, draping her head in a towel while she rested on the sidelines.

Caitlin Clark appeared to be in pain after this play late in the fourth quarter.

Clark returned to play last week after missing 5 games with a groin injury. pic.twitter.com/y78M3mDeCf

— espnW (@espnW) July 16, 2025

She missed Indiana's remaining 22 regular season games as a result of the malady. Clark was also diagnosed with a "very mild" left ankle bone bruise during her recovery, suffering the injury on Aug. 7 while participating in an on-court workout.

Clark missed 31 games as a result of her injury issues in 2025.

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Caitlin Clark injury timeline

Clark first landed in triage on May 26, when the Fever announced that she would miss two weeks with an issue to her quadriceps. She returned to the floor five games later.

On June 24, Clark was sidelined once more, cut down by a left groin issue in Indiana's win over the Storm. She missed the Fever's next five regular-season games and their Commissioner's Cup championship as a result of the malady. On July 9, she was placed back into Indiana's lineup, with head coach Stephanie White implementing a gradual minutes restriction. The Fever hoped to ramp up her activity ahead of the All-Star break.

On July 15 — Clark's fourth game back from the injury — she went down again, taking herself out of the Fever's duel with the Sun after pulling up lame after delivering an assist to Kelsey Mitchell late in the fourth. Clark appeared in discomfort as she made her way to the sidelines. She wrapped a towel around her head while watching the remainder of the game, holding back tears during the matchup's final moments.

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White told reporters that Clark "felt a little something in her groin." The injury impacted her right groin, per Indiana's official injury report.

Clark missed the remainder of the season as a result of her injury, joining Sydney Colson (torn ACL), Aari McDonald (broken foot) and Sophie Cunningham (torn MCL) as Fever players to be ruled out with season-ending injuries.

The hope within Indiana's camp is that by allowing Clark to focus solely on recovering from her nagging injuries in 2025, she'll be able to avoid them going forward. It's unfortunate that fans won't be able to access Clark in all her on-court glory during the 2025 postseason. But if the Fever's tactics prevent her from dealing with a similar number of injuries in 2026, it will all be worth it.

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When do WNBA playoffs end?

The WNBA postseason runs from Sept. 14 to as late as Oct. 17. The playoffs can end earlier. But if the WNBA Finals were to stretch to a full seven games, the season would end on Oct. 17. 

Fever playoff schedule 2025

Indiana takes on the Dream in its first-round series. Atlanta (30-14) holds home-court advantage in the three-game series. Here's a look at the schedule for the two sides' first-round matchup:

*if necessary