Caitlin Clark is officially out for the rest of the 2025 WNBA season.
The Indiana Fever confirmed Thursday that Clark will not play in the team’s remaining regular-season games or any potential playoff matchups. This ends weeks of speculation about whether one of basketball’s biggest names would return after missing time with a groin injury.
Clark hasn’t played since July 15. Now, with the playoffs approaching and her team sitting in the No. 8 seed, the news lands with weight. Not just for the Fever — but for the entire WNBA.
Clark had never missed a game in her four years at Iowa or her rookie WNBA season, where she was named Rookie of the Year and led the league in assists and 3-pointers. But 2025 has been a different story. She appeared in just 13 of Indiana’s 41 games, battling a series of injuries that kept her off the court at critical moments.
I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season. I 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. I want to thank everyone who had my back… pic.twitter.com/paD5sEYG1q
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) September 5, 2025
She missed the Commissioner’s Cup final on July 1. She missed the All-Star Game, where she was supposed to captain her team on her home court. And she’s missed the last seven weeks of the season. Still, in the games she did play, Clark averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.
For fans, her absence has been hard to ignore. Clark is not only a star athlete — she’s a media magnet, a ratings driver, and, for many, the reason they started tuning into WNBA games.
But the Fever have been playing without her for most of the season. And while her official shutdown feels like a turning point, her teammates have already adjusted. Four Indiana players — Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Aliyah Boston, and Natasha Howard — have appeared in every game. Mitchell and Boston, both All-Stars, have put up career-best numbers in scoring.
The Fever’s roster has shifted in recent weeks. After losing guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson to injuries, Indiana signed veteran guard Odyssey Sims and added Aerial Powers. Both have deep playoff experience. Powers even won a title with Washington. Still, the team’s recent record — 4 wins in their last 11 games — shows the challenge ahead.
With just a few games left, Indiana holds a narrow lead for the final playoff spot. The Sparks are just 1.5 games behind. While data models show the Fever making the playoffs in over 90% of scenarios, their performance without Clark — and their injury-riddled roster — raise questions about how far they can really go.
Clutch Points WNBA:
Caitlin Clark’s 2nd season has come to a heartbreaking halt.She’s officially been ruled out for the rest of the year, sidelined by injury after just 13 games in her sophomore season.
For fans, teammates, and the entire WNBA, it’s a gut punch because… pic.twitter.com/uMNIcpm0j5
— Caitlin Clark News (@22CCnews) September 6, 2025
So why announce Clark’s season is over now?
Sources say the team had likely been considering it for a while. Clark is a known competitor, and they probably wanted to give her every chance to come back. But with only a few days left in the regular season, the hope of a return had all but faded. And with that hope, a reality check.
Still, Clark has remained a presence on the bench — vocal, engaged, and active. While she won’t take the floor again this year, she’s expected to continue supporting her team from the sideline as they make a final push for the postseason.
Looking ahead, Clark’s focus will shift to recovery and offseason training. She’ll have more than eight months before the 2026 season begins — enough time, experts say, for a full recovery from her groin injury. There’s also speculation that her long break from competitive play could lead her to join offseason competitions or explore overseas play.
There’s historical precedent for comebacks after lost seasons. Michael Jordan missed most of his second NBA year due to injury — then returned to dominate the league. In the WNBA, stars like A’ja Wilson and Sue Bird also bounced back from sophomore season setbacks to lead title-winning campaigns.
