REPORT: Caitlin Clark Suffers Brutal New Setback Amid Fever’s Ongoing Struggles 4 Aug 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sydney Colson (51) and guard Caitlin Clark (22) cheer for their team during the first half against the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Report: Caitlin Clark Suffers Brutal New Setback Amid Fever’s Ongoing Struggles

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 9:36 AM ET

The Indiana Fever’s playoff push is turning into a war of attrition. A new report from Fieldhouse Files’ Scott Agness revealed that Caitlin Clark recently picked up a minor setback, tweaking her left ankle during an individual workout earlier this month.

The injury was later diagnosed as a “very mild” bone bruise, suffered on August 7—just before Indiana’s blowout loss to the Phoenix Mercury. While it won’t change her recovery timeline from a lingering right groin issue, it adds another layer of worry for Fever fans.

That same Mercury game also dealt two crushing blows to Indiana’s backcourt. Guards Sydney Colson (torn ACL) and Aari McDonald (broken foot) were both ruled out for the season. More recently, Sophie Cunningham joined them on the shelf after tearing her right MCL against the Connecticut Sun, further thinning coach Stephanie White’s rotation.

To patch the gaps, Indiana signed veterans Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy to seven-day contracts. Cunningham’s injury now allows them to bring in a third hardship player, giving the Fever a little breathing room as they brace for a brutal stretch.

“Until You Guys See Her In Practice”: Caitlin Clark Setback Confirmed As Stephanie White Sounds Alarm Before Fever’s Playoff Fight

The spotlight, however, remains firmly on Caitlin Clark. The 2024 Rookie of the Year was expected to test her fitness during the Fever’s four-day break, but White offered little encouragement when pressed for updates.

Aug 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the team bench during the first half against the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“Until she can get into practice, and until you guys see her in practice,” White told reporters Wednesday via IndyStar’s Chloe Peterson, “it’s really status quo, same as we have been.”

Clark has already missed 22 games this year, including the last 13 straight. Even without her, Indiana managed to win seven during that span, but the road ahead is daunting. Their final nine games all come against top-eight opponents, starting with a back-to-back showdown against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.

Aug 3, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) and guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) celebrate defeating the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

For the Fever to make the postseason in back-to-back years, they’ll need everything to break right. And until Clark is back in uniform, that climb only looks steeper.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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