Fever's Caitlin Clark not expected to play against Liberty due to groin injury after missing WNBA All-Star festivities
White also noted that Clark will meet with doctors on Monday and Tuesday while traveling to Brooklyn with the team for their game against the New York Liberty.
"I don't expect her to be available on Tuesday," White said. "We're just going to continue to take it one day at a time and let her get her evaluations early this week. And once we have that, hopefully, we'll have a clear mind on what that looks like."
Clark suffered a groin injury in the Fever's win over the Connecticut Sun on July 15. After helping the team establish a healthy lead, Clark was forced to exit the contest with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter. While the Fever secured an 85-77 win, White shared that Clark "felt a little something in her groin" before she frustratedly left the court.
As a result, Clark missed their next game against New York, which the Liberty won 98-77, and she did not participate in the All-Star competitions in front of the Fever's home crowd. Clark was named a 2025 WNBA All-Star captain and committed to play in the 3-point contest.
Clark's Indiana teammate, Lexie Hull, replaced her in the 3-point contest, won by New York's Sabrina Ionescu. She was replaced in the All-Star game by Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell, instead performing coaching duties for Team Clark from the sideline as they fell to Napheesa Collier's team, 151-131.
After staying injury-free through her time at Iowa and her first year in the W, Clark has missed 10 games this season due to groin and quad injuries. Earlier this season, Clark missed five games due to a quad injury. After returning from her first groin strain, Clark is now dealing with a similar injury, having played in just 13 of the Fever's 23 games.
Clark is averaging 16.5 points and 8.8 assists per game, but she has struggled from beyond the arc, making just 27.5% of her attempts from deep — a career-low dating back to her time at Iowa. Her previous career-low shot percentage from 3 came as a sophomore with the Hawkeyes, where she shot 33.2% from beyond the arc.
The Fever are third in the Eastern Conference and sixth in WNBA standings with a 12-11 record. The defending champions have moved to second in the league and first in the East with a 5-6 record. Indiana holds a 1-2 record against New York this season.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
New York plays Phoenix, seeks 5th straight home win
Phoenix Mercury (15-8, 9-7 Western Conference) at New York Liberty (16-6, 10-2 Eastern Conference) New York; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: New York Liberty will try to keep its four-game home win streak alive when the Liberty play Phoenix Mercury. The Liberty have gone 11-2 in home games. New York is the leader in the Eastern Conference with 14.4 fast break points. The Mercury are 6-4 on the road. Phoenix is third in the Western Conference scoring 83.2 points per game and is shooting 43.1%. New York makes 45.4% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.8 percentage points higher than Phoenix has allowed to its opponents (42.6%). Phoenix averages 83.2 points per game, 3.8 more than the 79.4 New York gives up to opponents. The two teams match up for the third time this season. The Mercury defeated the Liberty 106-91 in their last matchup on June 28. Satou Sabally led the Mercury with 25 points, and Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 17 points. TOP PERFORMERS: Stewart is scoring 19.6 points per game with 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu is averaging 14.1 points and 5.7 assists over the last 10 games. Sabally is averaging 18.8 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Mercury. Alyssa Thomas is averaging 15.1 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Liberty: 6-4, averaging 85.3 points, 33.7 rebounds, 21.6 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.2 points per game. Mercury: 6-4, averaging 87.6 points, 35.7 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 7.9 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 82.9 points. INJURIES: Liberty: None listed. Mercury: Monique Akoa Makani: out (concussion). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ogunbowale leads Dallas against Golden State after 20-point game
Dallas Wings (7-17, 3-10 Western Conference) at Golden State Valkyries (10-12, 5-8 Western Conference) San Francisco; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Valkyries -5.5; over/under is 163 BOTTOM LINE: Dallas Wings faces the Golden State Valkyries after Arike Ogunbowale scored 20 points in the Wings' 87-63 victory over the Seattle Storm. The Valkyries are 5-8 against Western Conference opponents. Golden State ranks third in the WNBA with 9.4 offensive rebounds per game led by Temi Fagbenle averaging 2.2 offensive boards. The Wings are 3-10 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas is 3-8 in games decided by 10 or more points. Golden State scores 79.1 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 85.8 Dallas allows. Dallas has shot at a 41.7% clip from the field this season, 1.6 percentage points above the 40.1% shooting opponents of Golden State have averaged. The teams play for the second time this season. The Wings won the last meeting 80-71 on June 18. Paige Bueckers scored 20 points to help lead the Wings to the victory. TOP PERFORMERS: Kayla Thornton is averaging 14 points and seven rebounds for the Valkyries. Tiffany Hayes is averaging 13.8 points over the last 10 games. Bueckers is averaging 18.2 points, 5.5 assists and 1.7 steals for the Wings. Aziaha James is averaging 12.2 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 40.0% over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Valkyries: 4-6, averaging 80.1 points, 38.0 rebounds, 18.9 assists, 5.0 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 40.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.1 points per game. Wings: 4-6, averaging 82.3 points, 37.9 rebounds, 20.4 assists, 7.0 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 41.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.4 points. INJURIES: Valkyries: None listed. Wings: Maddy Siegrist: out (knee), Tyasha Harris: out for season (knee). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Making this change is seismic'- Takeaways from Don Garber's 'MLS 3.0' initiative, including calendar change, streaming insights, All-Star format and roster rules
AUSTIN, Texas - Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber showed about 10 to 15 minutes late to his annual midseason All-Star address, looked around the room and smiled as he blamed traffic for his delay. "I can remember the days when there was no traffic on the way to a game, but it's great to be here," he said While there was plenty of attention on Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi's decision to skip MLS's midsummer classic, Garber largely focused on growth and change - especially to current roster rules, the calendar and the All-Star format. He revealed more than he has previously about Apple TV consumption and also touched on the recent protests around MLS regarding a lack of a statement about immigration enforcement. "We have focused on what we're calling MLS 3.0," he said. "MLS in the next 30 years, a comprehensive strategy to drive our next era of growth, of innovation, global competitiveness, which we think is very important." GOAL looks at the biggest takeaways from Garber's All-Star address. MOMENTUM BUILDING ON SCHEDULE CHANGE Reports emerged this week that MLS could vote again on a schedule shift to better align with FIFA's international calendar. While Garber did not divulge specifics, he did appear to indicate that there is increasing momentum. The league had previously said no change would take affect until at least 2027. "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen after the 2026 World Cup," Garber said. "So making this change is seismic. It's not something we should do lightly. We obviously have teams across multiple climate zones, multiple time zones, unlike any other league in the world. And if we do make the change, we're not going to go back on that decision. "There are a number of key benefits to it. Aligning with the world standard, we think, is important for our brand as we try to continue to engage as one of the important, influential leagues in the world. We want to align with on the calendar to be able to be even more engaged on the player transfer market." Garber pointed to the league's growth in transfers, saying MLS could reach $150 million in player sales. He also mentioned that shifting the calendar would mean the MLS postseason would be played earlier - and not go head-to-head with NFL or college football. "Imagine what that will be when we're aligned on the international calendar," Garber said. "We also have our most important big games in the busiest part of the calendar, right? And I think where we are today in the fall might be very or winter might be very different than when the league was founded. The league continues to have its [MLS] Cup later and later in December, and that is a challenge that has to be addressed." Garber said that logistics are the biggest barrier. "How do we ensure that when we make that decision, our facilities are ready for it, our fans are ready for it, and our corporate partners are ready for it? So I would rather get it right, and take our time [then] get it wrong and do it quick." NEW ROSTER RULES AHEAD? Inter Miami was the only MLS team among three competing in the recent Club World Cup to advance out of the group stage - a fact Garber touted. He also said the league wants to achieve more in future tournaments - Miami had the only win in the CWC among MLS teams, as both LAFC and Seattle Sounders fell short. Garber praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his conviction to push forward with revamped 32-team tournament, noting it had plenty of detractors prior to it kicking off. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Garber said MLS is reviewing its current roster structure to allow potential growth. He insisted the current structure is tied to data that the league constantly reviews. "We have rules because we're looking at data," he said. "We're evaluating where we fit and how our allocation of resources can help our league move forward." He pointed to Miami's success in recruiting global stars as a sign the league can be attractive. "Our clubs are becoming teams of choice for top players, and as Miami was able to prove, be able to stand toe to toe with some tough clubs," he said. "Now, if the objective is to win the Club World Cup, which it is, we just have to figure out, how do we manage that within the overall economic environment that exists today?" He added, "As our owners feel that more flexibility will drive more opportunity and more competitiveness, and we will move in that direction." INSIGHT INTO VIEWERSHIP MLS and Apple TV, the league's streaming outlet, have largely been tight-lipped about viewership metrics since their partnership began in 2023. Garber on Wednesday offered some insight into key metrics for the league. "The Apple deal has grown. We're averaging 120,000 unique viewers per match," Garber said. "That's an increase of almost 50 percent compared to last year. Distribution has helped drive a lot of that now you can get MLS season pass on Comcast or Direct TV. For the first time of any sports league, we're inviting access to fans through EAFC Mobile. "It's clearly one of the most transformational times in the history of our sport. Obviously, we think Major League Soccer is one of the drivers of the growth of the sport here in this country." Garber explained some of the complexities in understanding the streaming data, and drawing conclusions. "Remember that every single game is treated exactly the same on MLS season pass," he said. "So how do you evaluate the fact that we have games going on simultaneously, way more games going on simultaneous than any other league? We're not putting one or two games on on a Saturday and then the next game on a Saturday, or a handful of games regionally on a Sunday. "Aggregate all that, depending on what week it is, you got over a million people that are unique viewers to a match. What we're struggling with, and I think what the industry is struggling with is that there has been no system to be able to evaluate how people are in a subscription service, how they're viewing and consuming games. And what is the metric that matters most? It's an average minute audience. Is it unique viewers? Remember, we're on a subscription service." CHANGES TO ALL-STAR FORMAT? All-Star games across North America's sports leagues are declining in viewership. Garber, who took part in announcing that Charlotte will host the 2026 All-Star game in an NFL stadium, said MLS should aim to be ambitious in that event, which immediately follows the World Cup. "Well, I love the All-Star Game, most leagues probably do," Garber said. "How do you get your players to love the All-Star Game, your partners to love the All-Star Game, and for fans too? We made a decision many years ago that we didn't want an exhibition; we wanted a competitive game... We are really focused in Charlotte to make that a really big event coming right out of the World Cup, gain a ton of attention." Garber did admit that with MLS and Liga MX continuing to engage with each other in the Leagues Cup, the league is considering how it formats its approach for the next game. "Maybe it is time for us to evolve the format. As long as we have a competitive game that people care about, I think our All Star game will be as successful as it's been in the past, and we'll see how it plays out," he said. CHANGES TO STRUCTURE? While Garber would neither confirm nor deny further expansion is a focus, he said the league is putting finishing touches on a substantial change to the manner in which MLS is structured. "We've got a really exciting format that will be ready to be presented once we go through all the formalities of it," Garber said. "And we'll talk about that, sometime, either before or at the end of the year press conference. But it'll be great, and it's going to make the regular season more meaningful." Garber said that one of the priorities for MLS 3.0 is to make each game more meaningful. "It'll be more aligned with the rest of the world in terms of how they play their competition, and I think our player format will be really cool, really unique, very different from anything that happens in North America," he said. RESPONDING TO PROTESTS MLS has come under some scrutiny for not taking a more public stance on increased immigration enforcement in the U.S. Rolling Stone recently reported on the league and politics The league's fan base is 37 percent Hispanic and some fan groups have staged walkouts and silent protests during games. The backlash stems from a perceived lack of support for immigrant communities. Garber stressed the league does not have an official position on immigration enforcement, and mentioned the main priority for the league is that stadiums have a safe environment. "It's a complicated issue, for sure," he said. "And the question is, does the league have a role in protecting people? I don't know you're talking about Latinos. I don't think the league has the ability to serve as an entity to protect anyone. We want our stadiums to stay safe. We want to ensure that we're having displays that are not going to incite anyone. "And at the same time, not take care of one audience, and at the same time having to deal with another audience that might be on the other side of this issue. The best way to do that is to have a policy we have which prohibits having political signage or anything to do with legislative acts on display in our stadiums." Garber pointed to the practices of some teams, such as LAFC, as a thoughtful approach. That said, the commissioner ruled out a league-wide statement on the issue. "I understand and sympathize with those that are impacted by this," he said. "I grew up in a very diverse environment. We are a very diverse league. But we have to be very thoughtful about how we engage in this situation. Our teams, as LAFC has done, if teams want to make a statement that they can. I don't think any team should be required to. "Certainly, the league is not, has not, and will not make a statement on this. We just want to continue to do whatever we can to ensure that our games are safe for all of our fans."