The Indiana Fever on Tuesday hosts the Seattle Storm in a pivotal game as the WNBA regular season begins to wind down. The Storm (20-18) would be the #6 seed in the playoffs if the season ended today; the Fever (19-18), set to be without Caitlin Clark for the 16th successive game, would be the #7 seed.
Clark's injury-plagued second season has changed expectations in Indiana. During the time she has been sidelined with a right groin strain and a bone bruise in her left ankle, Clark's teammates Sydney Colson, Sophie Cunningham and Aari McDonald have endured season-ending injuries. The Fever has lost four of the past five games as head coach Stephanie White's options continue to dwindle.
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But ESPN's WNBA Basketball Power Index still quite likes the Fever, despite Indiana's problems with injuries and its recent slide in the standings.
Even amid the recent uncertainty, ESPN's BPI still sees the Fever as overwhelmingly likely to return to the playoffs. Not only does the Fever have an 88 percent chance to make the postseason again, but Indiana has 28.1 percent odds to reach the WNBA semifinals.
With Clark participating in Fever shootaround on Sunday, the superstar guard's return from injury could be close. And if that is the case, an Indiana team with Clark and Aliyah Boston together again will be a tough out in September.
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