Throughout her 4 years in Iowa and her first season as a professional with the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark had by no means missed a recreation. Till now, after the Fever introduced on Monday that Clark will likely be out not less than two weeks with a left quad pressure.
Clark had been restricted within the preseason with what she described as tightness in her left quad, although the group didn’t explicitly say within the announcement whether or not this harm was an aggravation of that earlier subject.
It hasn’t been an ideal begin to the season for the Fever, who’re 2-2 with slim losses to the Atlanta Dream and defending champion New York Liberty. Now a bunch that’s incorporating a number of new gamers will likely be with out its offensive conductor in the meanwhile. Clark leads the group in scoring at 19.0 factors per recreation and leads the league in assists at 9.3 dimes per contest.
ESPN breaks down what we learn about Clark’s harm and the affect it’s going to have on the championship-minded Fever.
What video games do we all know Clark will miss?
Kendra Andrews: The Fever’s present two-week timeline guidelines Clark out of 4 video games, minimal: on the Washington Mystics, at dwelling towards the Connecticut Solar and Mystics, and on the street on the Chicago Sky.
Clark’s reexamination date is about for June 9 — however that is when she’ll be examined once more, not essentially when she’ll be capable to return.
Indiana performs in Atlanta on June 10 after which has a four-day break earlier than its subsequent recreation internet hosting the New York Liberty.
Restoration from a quad pressure might vary from just a few weeks to a number of months, so at this level, the extent of Clark’s absence is tough to inform at this stage.
What does this imply for the Fever?
Michael Voepel: At 2-2, Indiana’s two losses are by a mixed three factors. Seven of the Fever’s subsequent eight video games are towards groups they possible must be favored towards even with out Clark, however their margin for error is way decrease now. The opposite recreation in that stretch is towards New York on June 14, and Clark is perhaps again by then.
If there have been a so-called “good” time within the season for this to occur, it is now. Not as a result of the Fever can take any of the upcoming opponents with no consideration, however as a result of it provides the group a chance to see the way it can play with out one of many league’s greatest gamers — and who will step ahead. What the Fever gamers study themselves within the subsequent couple of weeks might show precious down the road.
Coach Stephanie White has talked concerning the Fever needing to enhance when Clark would not have the ball in her palms, and now Indiana must do this whereas Clark is sidelined. It is not going to be straightforward, however they haven’t any selection.
How will Indiana attempt to exchange Clark’s manufacturing?
Voepel: Clark has been a workhorse all through her basketball profession, and her groups are used to her being on the courtroom.
However the Fever have choices and can possible go together with some extent guard by committee. We will have a look at how the minutes have been distributed of their preseason 79-74 time beyond regulation win towards the Mystics on Could 3 (Clark did not play due to a leg harm). Veteran level guard Sydney Colson, dropped at Indiana this season after profitable two titles with Las Vegas, began and performed quarter-hour. Beginning capturing guard Kelsey Mitchell performed 28 minutes. Guards Sophie Cunningham (34 minutes) and Lexie Hull (33) got here off the bench.
Saturday towards New York, Hull (26 minutes) moved into the beginning lineup and ahead/guard DeWanna Bonner (23) shifted to the bench with Cunningham (20). Clark performed 38 minutes and Mitchell 34, whereas Colson did not get into the sport.
Alexa Philippou: Whereas the Fever do have extra depth this season because of their offseason strikes, Clark accounts for a lot of their offensive manufacturing that it will be troublesome to make up for that. Thus far this season, Indiana’s offensive ranking is 107.5 with Clark on the ground and 82.2 in 20 minutes together with her off it. Assuming their scoring output takes a success with out Clark, that’ll put strain on the Fever’s protection to step up much more to allow them to choose up some wins that approach.
What does this harm imply for Clark’s season?
Voepel: Lacking video games is new for Clark so there’s a psychological facet to coping with the harm in addition to the bodily. Count on that she will likely be very engaged in video games from the sideline, encouraging her teammates. Clark was the preseason betting favourite for MVP (not that that is her concern; she hasn’t talked about any particular person award targets, solely group goals). After all, any time with out Clark is worrisome for Indiana. However supplied Clark can return in an affordable timeframe, the Fever should not should reasonable their long-term expectations.
Andrews: So long as her quad heals correctly — and he or she would not come again earlier than she’s prepared, additional injuring herself — there isn’t any purpose to consider this harm ought to have an amazing affect on Clark’s season, or any particular person or group accolades she and the Fever are taking part in for. Even when she misses a month complete, there may be greater than sufficient time left within the season for her to make a case for herself for MVP. As a group, sure, the Fever are worse off with out Clark. But when her teammates can preserve Indiana afloat throughout her absence, they need to nonetheless be thought of a aggressive playoff group. The truth that this harm occurred so early within the season ought to give the Fever and Clark confidence that their long-term targets for this 12 months are usually not misplaced.
