In a crushing blow to the Indiana Fever, rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has been ruled out of Tuesday night’s WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final against the Minnesota Lynx due to a groin injury, the team confirmed in a statement Tuesday morning.
Clark, who has been the face of the Fever’s midseason surge and a driving force behind their Eastern Conference Cup campaign, sustained the injury late in their last regular-season contest. Despite hopes that she would recover in time for the Cup showdown, team doctors have opted to sideline her for precautionary reasons.
“This is obviously disappointing,” Fever head coach Christie Sides said. “Caitlin’s been a huge part of what we’ve built this season. But we have to prioritize her long-term health. The rest of the team is ready to step up in her absence.”
Clark, who leads all rookies in points and assists per game, was recently named a starter and captain for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, capping off a whirlwind first half of her rookie campaign. Her absence not only changes the offensive identity of the Fever, but also takes away one of the league’s top perimeter threats and playmakers.
The Minnesota Lynx, representing the Western Conference, have been one of the league’s most consistent teams all season and now enter the final as clear favorites with Clark sidelined. The Fever will look to NaLyssa Smith, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston to shoulder the offensive load in Clark’s absence.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET, with the Fever aiming to win their first Commissioner’s Cup title despite the massive setback. Whether Clark returns when regular-season play resumes later this week remains to be seen.
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