Caitlin Clark has been sidelined for the Indiana Fever since July 15 due to a groin injury. While fans would love to see her back on the court soon, there’s a legitimate chance she’s held out until 2026.

Before injuries started derailing Clark’s 2025 campaign, she was reminding the world why she’s the face of the WNBA. The former No. 1 pick from Iowa was averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer hasn’t been able to shake off the injury bug.

To make matters worse for the Fever, a few other key players have suffered injuries this summer. A little less than two weeks ago, they lost Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald to season-ending injuries. Colson suffered a torn ACL, whereas McDonald suffered a broke broke in her foot. The latter was averaging 9.8 points and 4.7 assists per game during Clark’s absence.

Apparently, the hits keep on coming for the Fever. On Tuesday, veteran guard Sophie Cunningham was ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.

“Cunningham sustained a season-ending injury in her right knee during the second quarter of the game and is expected to make a full recovery,” the Fever said. “In a corresponding move, the Fever have signed guard Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract and released guard Kyra Lambert.”

Cunningham was having a solid first year with the Fever, averaging 8.6 points per game on 43.2% shooting from beyond the arc. With her sidelined for the rest of the year, Indiana is seriously running out of bodies for the rest of the season. That could potentially put pressure on Clark to return as soon as possible, but it shouldn’t.

Fans want Fever to shut down Clark.

“Fever might as well shut down Caitlin Clark,” one fan said.

“If you needed any more reason to shut Caitlin Clark down to get to 100 percent health, the Fever having one person left not on a 7 day that can dribble the ball should do it,” a second fan wrote.

“Caitlin Clark would be pretty stupid to come back for the Fever this season with all the injuries they have had . She should just sit out rest of season and come back fully healthy next season,” a third fan commented.

“Caitlin Clark not returning this season seems more of a thing by the day,” another fan said.

The Fever haven’t shared a timeline for Clark’s return. Head coach Stephanie White said the team is prioritizing the two-time All-Star’s long-term health.

“Yes, every competitor wants to play, but at the same time doing it the right way and making sure, after we’ve had a couple of setbacks, that we’re prioritizing her long-term health and wellness is the most important thing,” White told reporters over the weekend.

While we’d love to see Clark on the hardwood soon, what truly matters is that she avoids making her injury worse than it already is. If that means she has to wait until the 2026 season, then so be it.

WNBA fans are crushed by Sophie Cunningham’s injury diagnosis on Tuesday afternoon, August 19.

Cunningham, 29, suffered a right leg injury in the first half of Sunday’s overtime win over the Connecticut Sun. The former University of Missouri star was hit in the leg by Sun guard Bria Hartley, who was driving to the basket when the collision happened. Cunningham, traded from the Phoenix Mercury to the Indiana Fever this offseason, was down on the ground in serious pain before getting helped off of the floor.

The Indiana Fever guard missed the rest of her team’s 99-93 win over the Connecticut Sun and underwent an MRI on Monday, August 18. Her injury diagnosis was announced by the team on Tuesday.

The Indiana Fever announced on Tuesday afternoon that Cunningham has been diagnosed with a season-ending knee injury. She will not return in 2025.

“Sophie Cunningham will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an injury during our game at Connecticut on Sunday. In a corresponding move, we have signed guard Shey Peddy to a 7-day hardship contract and released Kyra Lambert,” the Fever announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Indiana Fever fans are “devastated”

Immediately following the injury diagnosis, Fever fans took to social media, to weigh in on the news. They’re crushed.

“Absolutely tragic. This team has suffered so much,” one fan wrote.

“So Caitlin and Sophie out. Ratings and ticket sales gonna crater,” one fan added.

“Noooo. Why does this team seem to have an abnormal amount of injuries caused by player to player altercation than any other team in the league? Probably random?” one fan added.

“Sorry Sophie. What occurred is not basketball. Officiating is non-existing. The girls on the Fever should sue the officials and the WBNA. What keeps occurring here is unacceptable. Please rest up and get well Miss,” one fan added.

“Do you perhaps think it’s time to do something about the refs, and the toxic players who are causing physical harm to other players???????” one fan added.

Peddy will look to step up in Cunningham’s absense

Peddy, signed to a 7-day contract on Tuesday, will look to step up in Cunningham’s absence. She comes with a nice pedigree, having been named the Defensive Player of the Year at Athletes Unlimited, while also making the All-Defensive Team during the four-week offseason event.

She averaged 5.9 points and 2.3 assists while shooting 40.2 from the field over the course of her WNBA career.

It’s go-time for the Fever

The Fever, 19-16 on the year, are facing a major turning point in the 2025 season. Indiana currently sits in sixth place in the WNBA. The Fever will look to get Caitlin Clark back soon, though she remains hobbled by an injury too.