Indiana’s star won’t return from groin injury, leaving the team to rely on veteran leadership in final stretch

The Indiana Fever’s uphill battle to close the season became even steeper on Thursday, as Caitlin Clark confirmed she will not return this year.

Clark, who has been sidelined since before the All-Star break with a groin injury, announced she will sit out the remainder of the schedule.

She is the fifth Fever player to be ruled out for the season, a staggering blow for a roster that had been built with playoff aspirations.

And yet, Indiana isn’t done. With three games left, the Fever remain mathematically alive in the postseason race. Without Clark, the spotlight sharpens on All-Stars Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, who have played every contest this season and now carry the weight of keeping the team competitive.

Boston evolving into the centerpiece

Head coach Stephanie White emphasized how crucial Boston’s presence has been during such a turbulent year.

“When you’re missing all of those guys on the floor, we’ve almost had to try to reinvent how we get AB touches,” White explained.

“Sometimes it’s more successful than others, but you know, her leadership has continued to improve…She’s a real instinctual, high IQ player. Her passing continues to improve as well.”

White noted how Boston’s game has expanded beyond her collegiate and early WNBA role as a traditional back-to-the-basket post.

“We’ve seen her in so many different roles,” White said. “In college, predominantly back to the basket. Her rookie year, predominantly back to the basket.

“Then you get her playing with [Clark] and you see her in so much of the pick-and-roll. And I think we’re adding to her game this year just using her as a hub and facilitating as much as being able to score.”

Boston enters Friday night’s clash with the Chicago Sky averaging 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Mitchell embracing leadership role

If Boston is the steadying force in the paint, Mitchell has become the engine of the Fever’s backcourt.

Leading the team with 20.5 points per game, the veteran guard has repeatedly stepped into bigger shoes when injuries forced lineup changes.

“She just wants to play basketball,” White said of Mitchell. “She’s a competitor. Every time we’ve had a reshuffling of the guard, so to speak, she’s taken her game to another level. We’ve needed her to. She’s put this team on her shoulders.”

Her contributions haven’t stopped at scoring. White also pointed to Mitchell’s willingness to handle tough defensive assignments.

“We’ve asked her, at times, to be the best defensive player on the floor,” White said. “I just continue to be really proud of her and the way that she has embraced everything, and in her leadership on the floor as well. She’s been a joy to coach and continues to lead by example every day.”