Clark dealt with quad tightness during the preseason but was ready to go once the regular games got underway. She averaged 19 points and 9.3 assists per game across Indiana’s first four outings but will now be forced to sit and watch the next four. The Fever currently sit at 2-2.
The exact moment Clark suffered the injury is not known. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White relayed that the 2024 Rookie of the Year had to get an MRI after the Fever’s game last Saturday against the New York Liberty. Clark reported issues herself, which led to a more detailed look at her leg.
“Sometimes great players don’t tell you when they’re hurting. I’m glad that she did,” White said. The coach does not know the specific grade of quad strain her point guard is dealing with.
More testing explained the injury, and Clark will miss time. Indiana plays four games between the day the injury was announced and the re-evaluation timeline — at Washington on May 28, against Connecticut on May 30, facing Washington again on June 3, and at Chicago on June 7 — so it’s possible that Clark misses just four games. But re-evaluation does not mean a return is guaranteed, and the Fever’s schedule increases in difficulty just after that re-evaluation date. They’ll hope for the best.
In some ways, this injury happening earlier in the season is better for Indiana. They have a new head coach in White and a roster filled with new talent. Having an opportunity early to figure out what lineups work best without Clark could be helpful over a 44-game season, and the Fever still have All-Star talents in DeWanna Bonner, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston.
In other ways, this injury is a huge hit for the Indiana Fever in that Clark represents so much of their playing style. They want to play fast, spread the floor, and be menacing in transition. The team’s strengths match Clark’s perfectly.
Indiana’s offensive rating is 23 points per 100 possessions better with Clark on the court this season, per pbpstats. They top the WNBA in pace, and Clark has played 87.5% of the team’s minutes this season. The Fever added pieces that fit that style in the offseason, so they should be able to play with tempo and generate good shots still. But it will be more challenging without their best passer and off-the-dribble threat.
“I don’t think we change how we play, I think we change what the emphasis is,” White said. “Our off-ball actions as opposed to some of our on-ball actions. When we get to our on-ball actions, utilizing our personnel in a different way.”
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White described that the team’s shot diet will be different. They probably won’t get as many chances above the break. Play finishers who drive to the rim or paint won’t get the same chances, and Indiana will move the ball sideline to sideline more often to create opportunities. Movement will be key, both on and off the ball.
Mitchell has experience as a lead ball handler, including with the Fever just a few seasons ago. Sophie Cunningham has added juice to the action with her on-ball reps this season, and the team added Sydney Colson in free agency to be a steady hand. Natahsa Howard and Boston both can create for themselves in the post and set good screens.
The Fever still have many options. They’ll just have to figure out the best way to use them without Clark.
“That’s the kind of cool thing about our team. We have a lot of depth. A lot of people can do a lot of things,” Cunningham shared after a practice this week. “So when one person goes down, a lot of people step up.”
Cunningham is very practical as a lead ball handler. She doesn’t think her game is flashy. Colson’s game could be described similarly. “We’ve got to come together even more,” Colson said.
White already shared that Colson will move into the starting lineup at the point guard spot. That could change, but to start the Clark-less stretch of play, the Fever will turn to their new veteran. Defensively-focused groups might get more run off the bench.
“We’re going to start Syd at the point tomorrow (against Washington). We’re going to give that a look,” White said. “Sophie is going to get a heavy dose of it as well.”
Colson has just one start since the 2017 season. She opened the last game of the 2024 season for the Las Vegas Aces and played for over 31 minutes, scoring 13 points and dishing out four assists in a 14-point win. Her main job will be taking care of the ball and keeping the Indiana Fever on track.
“I just stay ready so I don’t have to get ready,” Colson said. “Our first line of defense is our shot selection and live ball turnovers,” she added, noting that the team’s offensive process will be key.”
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While it’s clear that the Fever will have to make some changes without Clark, they’ll hope to keep most of their identity intact and keep building their new-look style. While some drop off could be expected, the long-term benefits of finding the best non-Clark lineups is important for an Indiana team with high expectations.
“I don’t think anything changes. I think your aggressiveness has to be a little bit more disciplined,” Mitchell said of the Clark-less stretch. “We’ll have to be sharp in different areas.”
Many have suggested that these coming weeks can be a valuable time for Clark to observe from the sidelines. In the meantime, the Indiana Fever will shift their focus toward trying to win games without an All-WNBA team member.
