MINNEAPOLIS — Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will miss the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship game against the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night, sidelined by a left groin injury, the team announced. Clark, initially listed as a game-time decision after participating in a limited shootaround, was ruled out hours before tip-off at Target Center, according to posts on X. This marks her third consecutive absence and eighth missed game this season, a stark contrast to her ironclad durability in college and her rookie year. Caitlin Clark groin injury, yikes.
Caitlin Clark is the Indiana Fever. Caitlin Clark is the WNBA.
What a disappointing blow this is for the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark groin injury hobbles their chances and the WNBA on a massive night for the league.
What Caitlin Clark groin injury means for Fever
The 2024 No. 1 draft pick, who dazzled fans with her long-range shooting and playmaking, has faced a challenging sophomore campaign. Clark missed five games earlier this season with a left quad strain, returning briefly before the groin issue surfaced during a June 24 loss to the Seattle Storm. Despite her absence, the Fever (8-8) have shown resilience, splitting their last two games, including a 94-86 win over Dallas, led by Kelsey Mitchell’s 32 points.
“It’s tough not having Caitlin out there,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “She’s a competitor, but we’re focused on her long-term health. No sense rushing her back for a setback.” Clark, averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, struggled before the injury, shooting 1-for-23 from three in her last three games. Still, her absence leaves a void for a Fever team chasing its first Commissioner’s Cup title.
The Lynx (14-2), led by league-leading scorer Napheesa Collier (24.5 points per game), are favored to defend their 2024 crown. Minnesota’s stifling defense, second in the WNBA, allows just 29.1% from three, posing a challenge for Indiana’s perimeter-heavy attack. The Fever, without Clark and reserve Damiris Dantas (national team duty), will lean on Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Aari McDonald to counter Minnesota’s fast-break prowess (12.6 points per game, third in the league).
The game, a high-stakes clash with a $500,000 prize pool, tips off at 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video. DraftKings lists the Lynx as 5.5-point favorites, with the Fever at +235 on the moneyline as of Monday. Despite the odds, Indiana’s recent 4-1 Cup play record shows they can compete, but facing an undefeated-at-home Lynx squad (8-0) without their star guard is a tall order.
Clark, named an All-Star starter alongside Collier, remains optimistic. “I’m doing everything to get back,” she said Sunday. For now, Fever fans hold their breath, hoping their star can return for a critical stretch ahead.
A Caitlin Clark groin injury is the last thing this league needs.
In the meantime, check out updated NBA title odds for 2026. With so much movement in free agency this week, the league looks quite a bit different!
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