How Caitlin Clark's ongoing recovery could impact the Indiana Fever's clash with the New York Liberty

Time of India

7 days ago

(Image Source - Getty Images)
The Indiana Fever are set to go up against the New York Liberty on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. However, the focus isn't solely on the game—it's on whether star player Caitlin Clark will be on the floor.
Clark, the Fever's leading point guard, has been struggling with a right groin injury, and it seems unlikely she'll be able to play in this matchup.
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie
White
addresses Caitlin Clark's injury
On July 15, 2025, Caitlin Clark suffered an injury during a match with the Connecticut Sun. With only 30 seconds left on the clock, she made a pass to Kelsey Mitchell and immediately exhibited signs of distress. Her facial expression revealed everything—she was in pain. She held her right groin and left the court, unable to continue playing. After the game, Fever coach Stephanie White shared an initial update with reporters, saying, 'She felt a little something in her groin, so we'll get it evaluated and see what happens'
On July 16, the day after, the Fever indicated that Clark was questionable for the game against the Liberty planned for July 17, with the team tweeting, 'Caitlin Clark is questionable for tomorrow's game against New York with a right groin injury'.
By July 17, though, the verdict was in: Clark was officially ruled out for that game, with the Fever confirming via X, 'Caitlin Clark has been downgraded to OUT for tonight's game vs.
New York due to a right groin injury'.
Caitlin Clark skips Indiana Fever practice while awaiting results from injury scans
After the injury, the Fever have kept things under wraps but are being careful about Caitlin Clark's recovery. On July 20, 2025, Coach Stephanie White talked to the media after the team resumed practice following the All-Star break.
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She gave the latest update, mentioning, 'She's going to see some doctors and get some more tests around early in the week. You know, I don't expect her to be available on Tuesday, so we're just going to continue to take it one day at a time and let her get her evaluations early this week, and then once we've done that, hopefully we'll have a clear line of what it looks like'.
Clark herself didn't make it to that Sunday practice, along with her All-Star teammates Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, who were probably just resting up after the weekend's events.
Missing out on the All-Star festivities really hit Clark hard. She opened up to reporters before the All-Star Game, sharing her feelings of frustration: 'When the injury happened, it was pretty frustrating, considering I knew what the coming days were gonna hold for myself.
But I feel like dealing with that, and then also just like trying to look at it in the most positive manner that I can... I think just it all comes back to having good perspective on everything'.
Coach Stephanie White trusts Indiana Fever's adaptability in Caitlin Clark's absence
Clark is the heart of the Fever's offense. She's an excellent shooter and playmaker, consistently putting up high points and assists when she's healthy. If she's not playing, the team will turn to Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston. Mitchell is a fantastic scorer from three-point range, and Boston is a strong presence in the paint, so they have to really step up. The bench will also need to bring some extra hustle to keep the Fever in the fight.
Stephanie White gives concerning update on Caitlin Clark groin Injury
Coach White is confident in the team's ability to adapt, telling IndyStar, 'This group has played without her; we've at least got experience in that. We know that we have a tough opponent in New York, and we know it's going to be a challenge no matter what'. The Fever have managed to adjust before, with an 8-4 record in games Clark missed earlier this season, but the Liberty present a whole new level of difficulty.
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She's really important on defense as well. Playing as a guard, she applies pressure on opponents out on the perimeter and causes turnovers. Without her presence, the Fever could find it hard to manage the Liberty's guards, such as Sabrina Ionescu, who can score from beyond the arc. The team may need to modify their defensive approach, putting extra pressure on other players to make up for her.
FAQs
What injury is Caitlin Clark currently dealing with?
A right groin strain from the July 15 game against the Connecticut Sun.
How many games has Clark missed this season?
She's missed 11 of the Fever's 23 regular-season games
When is Clark expected to return?
No clear timeline; she's awaiting further medical evaluations early this week
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