Fever HC Talks Decision to Shut Down Caitlin Clark amid Injury, 'Ran Out of Time'

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White said Friday the decision to shut Caitlin Clark down was made after the team decided she didn't have enough time left in the 2025 WNBA season to make a full injury recovery.

Clark has been out with a left quadriceps strain since July 15. She announced Thursday, two days after the Fever returned from a three-game West Coast road swing, that she would not play again this season.

"We knew that West Coast road trip was going to be a big one, to see where we could get, and how far we could get," White said at the beginning of her Friday press conference. "And I think at the end of the day, she's been working her butt off to be able to get back, and we've kind of run out of time to be able to do it in a safe way, in a safe manner.

"I think we've all been very open and upfront with, her long-term health and wellness is the most important thing. And to be in a position that you need to be in to play at this time of the year, we just ran out of time to get her there."

Clark, who followed up her historic college career with a WNBA Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024, will finish the season having appeared in just 13 games of her sophomore season.

In addition to her left quad injury, Clark also suffered a left groin injury and a bone bruise in her left ankle, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

"There's the obvious frustration that it's come with not being healthy, really, for an entire season," White said. "But ultimately, I think the big picture is the most important thing."

Clark wrote in her Thursday announcement that she had "spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there."

"Disappointed isn't a big enough word to describe how I am feeling," Clark wrote, finishing her post with: "Now it's time to close out the season and claim our spot in the playoffs."

The Fever, which have three games remaining in the regular season, are battling the Los Angeles Sparks for the final playoff spot in the WNBA.

Indiana could secure the spot by winning out, although that would involve defeating the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the regular season finale.

Kelsey Mitchell will lead the Fever's push for the postseason beginning with a Friday night home game against the Chicago Sky. The Sky's leading scorer, Angel Reese, will be sitting out the game while serving a suspension after hitting eight technical fouls this season.