Without Caitlin Clark, the Fever has found ways to win -- but as the 2025 regular season winds down, the playoff race is tightening ever further, and Indiana does not want to be on the outside looking in.
The Fever's 21-19 record is good for seventh in the WNBA standings, 1.5 games better than the ninth-place Los Angeles Sparks on the outside looking in. Despite a wave of injuries that have affected Clark and others, Indiana has stayed afloat thanks to the consistency of star center Aliyah Boston and the scoring of All-Star shooting guard Kelsey Mitchell.
But after missing more than six weeks with a right groin injury, Clark may be closing in on a dramatic return for the final week of the regular season.
MORE: Caitlin Clark's return to play criteria revealed by Fever coach ahead of WNBA playoffs
Ahead of the Fever's game in Phoenix against the Mercury on Tuesday night, Clark participated in 5-on-0 drills with Indiana's reserve players. She appeared comfortable running up and down the court at PHX Arena, and she even drilled a 3-pointer from the wing to finish off a smooth sequence.
Caitlin Clark is running with the Fever backups in their full-court 5-on-0 this morning: pic.twitter.com/2Wfk4WZSDV
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) September 2, 2025
Clark has played in only 13 games this season and will miss her 19th successive game on Tuesday. But Clark's progress could put the Fever in position to welcome her back to the fold as soon as Friday, when Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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