Fever Coach Confirms Caitlin Clark’s Comeback Slowed by Ankle Injury

Tension only escalated after beat reporters Scott Agness and Chloe Peterson released conflicting updates regarding a minor bone bruise Clark suffered on August 7—an injury that had not been previously reported. Agness noted the setback did alter Clark’s return timeline, while Peterson stated it had not.

The franchise responded with a vague statement that read, “There was no timeline or projected return to play so it’s impossible to say if it was impacted. So it remains the same: to give Caitlin as much time needed to ensure she comes back fully healthy, which everyday she is working hard to do.”

With the uncertainty mounting, fans took to social media expressing frustrations and wondering if the star would even be back at any point in the season.

Fever Coach Stephanie White Confirms Caitlin Clark Ankle Injury Affected Return Timeline

On Thursday, coach White appeared on the Query and Company podcast show on 107.5 the Fan. When show host Jake Query asked White about Clark’s ankle injury and where things currently stood, White answered, “Caitlin is doing everything that she can to position herself to get back on the court. There has not been a timeline because her health and wellness has been the most important thing.”

This wasn’t exactly new information, but what stood out was when she followed up, talking about how the bone bruise Clark sustained had, in fact, affected her return saying, “We want to make sure she's 100% when she does get back on the court. Certainly the progress that she was making slowed a little bit.”

The confirmation that time had been added was in line with Agness’s initial report and provides clarity as to why Clark's status has flip-flopped from being “day-to-day” to “game-time decision” to eventually landing at “no return timeline.”

The bright side of White’s interview was that Clark's goal was to get her back out on the floor and that currently the Fever guard is “doing everything that she can to position herself to play.”

“Caitlin wants to get on the floor to be a basketball player again instead of somebody who’s rehabbing from injury,” White told Query.

For now, the Fever are set to face-off against the Minnesota Lynx Friday, with Clark listed as “Out” for the matchup. But there are nine in-season games left and Indiana currently sits at No. 6 in playoff position. The hope is that Clark can rejoin the squad and maintain their spot to make a deep run, and who knows, maybe even get a shot at the title.