Caitlin Clark’s Ironman Streak Dating to 2017 Comes to End With Quadriceps Injury

According to famed women’s sports reporter Christine Brennan, this would be Clark’s first missed game since November 2017. The last time Caitlin Clark missed time with an injury was back in her sophomore year of high school. Clark has played every game, usually getting a heavy minute workload, for seven straight years since then. Brennan, who is a biographer for Clark, has a segment on this incident in her upcoming book.

Caitlin Clark was an ever-present for the Indiana Fever during the 2024 WNBA season. She underwent a trial by fire during a rough initial spell of games, during which the Fever went 1-8. The team would then go on to finish the season with the sixth-best record in the WNBA. Snagging the sixth seed also meant ending the Fever’s postseason drought, in effect since 2016. The team finished the season with a 20-20 record.

How can the Indiana Fever stay afloat in the absence of Caitlin Clark?

The biggest impact of Caitlin Clark being unavailable will be felt by the bigs and forwards on the Fever. Aliyah Boston operates in the pick-and-roll for the bulk of her offensive possessions. Natasha Howard and DeWanna Bonner are also way more effective when working with someone who can break defenses. All three of these players will now have to fend for themselves on the offensive end, possibly playing in more iso situations.

The Fever brought in Sydney Colson from the Las Vegas Aces as their backup point guard. Colson did not inspire much confidence among fans and onlookers during the warmup games. But she will definitely have to step in and steady the ship in Clark’s absence. Although Colson is a capable passer and has the ability to get separation, the Fever’s opponents will doubtless have an easier time guarding her. Colson’s best offensive days are in her past, especially as a scorer.

Kelsey Mitchell will be asked to play on the ball a lot more during Clark’s absence. Even though the roster seems deeper than last year, they don’t have a true playmaker except Colson in their ranks. Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham are not capable of controlling WNBA-level offenses as the facilitators or primary ballhandlers. The team will have to change its identity, play slower and trust in its defensive capabilities with Clark out.