Chicago Doctor Pinpoints Concerning WNBA Trend Seen by Caitlin Clark During Her Extended Absence

For Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, the 2025 WNBA season promised a deep playoff run, or even a championship. However, owing to injuries, the plan was foiled. If the injury wasn’t enough, the frustrations related to her recovery and reporting by the Indiana Fever organization were even more frustrating. Even head coach Stephanie White had admitted to mishandling Caitlin Clark’s injury during her first groin injury. The result of rushing her back was another groin injury, which eventually ruled her out for the remainder of the season. 

When Caitlin held her injured right groin after the game against the Connecticut Sun, many fans wondered if she had been brought back too soon. A sports medicine physician had even called about the Fever, saying, “Whatever the medical staff is doing right now is unfortunately not enough.” But in the midst of all this dark cloud, there may be a silver lining. Sure, the Indiana Fever’s prospects of making a deep run in the playoffs may have suffered. But, according to a Chicago doctor, this may be a blessing in disguise. 

Appearing on FOX 32 Chicago’s Chicago Now, Dr. Jeremy Alland pointed out the positive side of Caitlin Clark’s recent announcement. He said, “She has to face the media every single day and certainly social media and is probably tired of hearing the question ‘when are you coming back?’ I think when you shut her down and she says, ‘I’m not coming back this season,’ it really takes a load off her, and she can focus on getting better. She doesn’t have to answer those questions anymore, doesn’t have a timeline anymore, if I get back for playoffs, and so on and so forth. I think she can really just focus on herself, and it usually goes a lot better.”

With her being such an important part of not only the Indiana Fever but the whole league, the question of her return was constantly being put forth. Any media availability that head coach Stephanie White or even her teammates were involved in included a question about her return. However, with the confirmation that she will indeed not return, things can be back to normal to some extent. Now, the entire league and the Fever organization can focus on what remains of the current season and the playoffs without worrying about scrutiny for Caitlin Clark’s recovery. 

On the other side, as Dr. Alland explained, Caitlin is now free of any pressure. She can take as much time as needed for her recovery. No doubt, she and the entire basketball world would have wanted her to play this year, but it is always better in the long run to recover well from these niggling injuries. Besides, this Indiana Fever team’s core is still young. They have enough time and tools on their side to retool and go for the championship next year. What’s important right now is that Caitlin’s offseason goes as smoothly as possible and that she is ready to start the 2026 preseason in the best possible condition. 

Indiana Fever Prepare to Lock in a Playoffs Spot Against the Washington Mystics

With Caitlin Clark’s return out of the question for the season, the playoff objectives have changed for the Fever. While for some time it had seemed that CC would be back and the Fever might yet make a deep playoff run, now, the objective is to just lock up a spot and give either the Minnesota Lynx or Las Vegas Aces as much fight as possible. 

In their mission to lock up a playoff spot, the Fever are up against the Washington Mystics on September 7, 2025. The same Washington Mystics who handed them a shocking back-to-back defeat that almost jeopardized the Fever’s even making the playoffs. However, this time around, the Indiana Fever will have some extra motivation, as winning this game will almost certainly ensure their ticket in the playoffs. 

Aug 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever forwards Natasha Howard (6) and Aliyah Boston (7) stand on the court during the third quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

To make things seem even easier, the Mystics are in the midst of an 8-game losing streak. However, with a dynamic rookie one-two punch in Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, and combined with the Indiana Fever’s own inconsistencies, nothing is certain. For the Fever to win this game, they need Kelsey Mitchell to conjure up her MVP form against Aliyah Boston, and Aliyah Boston needs to continue dominating the paint. 

Despite being decimated by injuries at the guard position, the Indiana Fever had seemed to find a reliable ball-handler in Odyssey Sims. While their task ahead in the playoffs is looking grim, the Indiana Fever would love to give as much fight as they can. Who knows, they may even surprise one of the contenders?

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