Indiana Fever Face Setback as Caitlin Clark to Miss Time with Quad Injury
The Indiana Fever will need to adjust quickly in the early stages of the 2025 WNBA season, as they face a significant challenge — playing without rookie sensation Caitlin Clark for at least the next two weeks. The team has not disclosed the exact timing or cause of Clark’s quadriceps injury, but her absence will undoubtedly be felt as Indiana navigates a critical portion of their schedule.
Through four games, the Fever have shown competitiveness, sitting at 2-2 after two tightly contested one-possession losses to the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty. While the team has proven it can go toe-to-toe with some of the WNBA’s stronger squads, the road ahead becomes much more difficult without their primary playmaker and offensive engine.
Clark is expected to miss a minimum of four games during this recovery window. That stretch includes two matchups against the Washington Mystics and single games versus both the Chicago Sky and the Connecticut Sun. Depending on how her recovery progresses, the number of missed games could increase.
Coach Stephanie White Addresses Team Strategy Without Clark
Fever head coach Stephanie White acknowledged that the absence of Caitlin Clark would naturally lead to adjustments in how the team operates. Speaking to the media on Monday, White said the following:
“I don’t think we change how we play, I think we change what our emphasis is. Our off-ball actions as opposed to some of our on-ball actions … [and] utilizing our personnel in a different way.”
White’s statement suggests that the overall system will remain intact, but there will be a shift in focus regarding which sets the team runs and how they distribute offensive responsibilities. Still, any suggestion that Clark’s absence won’t materially affect the Fever’s play would be optimistic at best. Her role in setting the tempo, orchestrating the offense, and spacing the floor is too significant to go unnoticed.
This raises a critical question: Who steps up in Clark’s absence? Several players will need to elevate their performance, and some may even need to reinvent their roles temporarily. Below, we take a closer look at three key players who will need to carry more of the load while Clark is sidelined.
1. DeWanna Bonner Must Become the Centerpiece
Perhaps no player is better positioned to absorb some of Caitlin Clark’s responsibilities than DeWanna Bonner. The Fever made waves in the offseason when they signed the WNBA legend, adding veteran leadership and proven playoff experience to a young and ambitious roster.
So far, however, the Fever haven’t quite unlocked Bonner’s full potential. She’s scored just 10 points total over the first four games, while averaging around 21 minutes per outing — a surprising stat line for a player who currently ranks third all-time in WNBA career scoring.
Now might be the perfect time to shift the offensive spotlight to Bonner. Indiana still boasts a talented backcourt — with guards like Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, and Sydney Colson able to step up in various ways — but the frontcourt must now begin to take more responsibility, particularly in scoring and creating mismatches.
By designing more plays around Bonner, the Fever could see multiple benefits:
- Improved offensive rhythm in half-court sets.
- More versatile scoring options, especially when guards are struggling or mismatched.
- A chance for Bonner to build deeper chemistry with teammates early in the season, which could pay dividends in the postseason.
While she may not need to play extended minutes every night, Bonner should undoubtedly see an increase in touches and shot attempts over the next few games.
2. Sydney Colson Takes the Reins at Point Guard
On Tuesday, the team confirmed that veteran guard Sydney Colson will step into the starting point guard role in Clark’s absence, beginning with Wednesday’s game against the Washington Mystics.
Colson, known for her energy, leadership, and experience, will now be tasked with managing the offense and ensuring smooth ball movement. Her transition into the starting lineup comes with immense pressure — not only is she replacing one of the most high-profile rookies in league history, but she also must keep the Fever competitive in what could be a pivotal early stretch of the season.
While Colson isn’t expected to replicate Clark’s production, her job will be to maintain poise, limit turnovers, and make smart decisions under pressure. She also brings a different flavor to the point guard position — she’s a strong communicator and a defensive-minded floor general, which may help the Fever slow the pace and play a more deliberate style.
Increased minutes for Colson will also likely lead to expanded roles for backup guards. The likes of Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham could rotate through multiple positions to help ease the ball-handling and scoring burden.
3. Kelsey Mitchell Needs to Lead Scoring Efforts
Perhaps the most critical offensive player outside of Clark is Kelsey Mitchell. A seasoned scorer with a quick release and deep range, Mitchell now becomes the team’s primary perimeter threat. In past seasons, she has shouldered heavy offensive responsibility, and now she must return to that role with urgency and precision.
With Clark sidelined, Mitchell will see a bump in both usage rate and defensive attention. Opposing teams will likely key in on her, which means the Fever must get creative in how they generate open looks — think staggered screens, off-ball movement, and quick-hit isolation sets.
If Mitchell can remain efficient despite the added pressure, Indiana’s offense has a chance to stay afloat. If she struggles, the lack of firepower could become glaring.
Looking Ahead
Indiana’s early-season schedule is unforgiving, and Clark’s absence makes things even more difficult. However, adversity often reveals hidden strengths. The Fever now have an opportunity to test their depth, explore new rotations, and build resiliency that could prove crucial in the long haul.
Though Clark’s timeline is currently set at two weeks, the team must be cautious. Quad injuries can linger, especially for a high-usage player who relies heavily on mobility and explosiveness. The Fever would be wise to prioritize long-term health over short-term gains.
If the team can hold its own and perhaps even surprise opponents over the next four to six games, Clark could return to a squad that has discovered a stronger collective identity.
Sydney Colson Set to Step Up Amidst Caitlin Clark’s Absence
Veteran guard Sydney Colson finds herself in an unfamiliar position as the Indiana Fever prepare for life without Caitlin Clark over the next couple of weeks. Although Colson has been part of the WNBA since 2011, her experience as a starter is minimal — she has started just 10 games across her entire career. Through Indiana’s first four contests this season, Colson has played a limited role, tallying just four total points in 24 minutes of court time.
Despite her limited playing time, Colson could benefit from Indiana’s temporary shift in offensive strategy while Clark is sidelined. Head coach Stephanie White emphasized that while the core principles of the team’s offense will remain, the style and flow may shift significantly without Clark controlling the tempo.
“A lot of times with [Clark] and the ball in her hands, our shots are coming above the break,” White said. “Now we might get the ball moving end-line to end-line when we’re moving it side-to-side, so I don’t think it changes how we play. I think it just changes the emphasis on the actions that we get to.”
This more balanced, motion-based approach could open new opportunities for Colson. Instead of standing on the perimeter while Clark orchestrates plays, Colson may be more involved in initiating ball movement and penetrating defenses through quick passes and cuts.
Like DeWanna Bonner, Colson now has a valuable opportunity to build rhythm and chemistry with the team’s starting unit. If she can capitalize on increased minutes and make a positive impression with her floor leadership, Colson could strengthen her role even after Clark returns.
It will be particularly intriguing to see how heavily the Fever lean on Colson in Wednesday’s matchup against the Mystics. With the rotation reshuffling, her performance could set the tone for the rest of this short-term stretch.
Sophie Cunningham Poised for Bigger Role Without Clark
Another key player likely to see more action is Sophie Cunningham. Though she’s only played two games for the Fever so far, she’s already proven to be a productive and energetic presence on the court. Now, with Caitlin Clark sidelined, Cunningham’s role may grow even more important.
The Fever acquired Cunningham in a blockbuster multi-team trade back in February, targeting her as a versatile piece who could bring toughness, experience, and two-way skill to their developing roster. She made an immediate impact in her debut, posting a well-rounded stat line of nine points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal in just 20 minutes against the Atlanta Dream.
Even if Cunningham doesn’t see a drastic change in her role or responsibilities schematically, she is expected to take on a heavier load simply by playing more minutes. So far this season, she’s averaged about 20 minutes per game — right in line with her career average of 22.7. However, with Clark out, she’s likely to see that number push closer to 25 minutes per contest.
What Cunningham brings to the Fever is more than just scoring. She provides grit, hustle plays, on-ball defense, and leadership, all of which will be essential during a stretch when the team must dig deep to remain competitive. Her ability to switch between guard positions, make smart passes, and defend the perimeter adds flexibility that will be crucial as Coach White juggles lineups.
If Indiana wants to stay in the playoff hunt while their star rookie heals, players like Cunningham will have to rise to the occasion. She may not be the focal point of the offense, but her contributions across multiple areas of the game could quietly be among the most vital during this key stretch.
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