“I’ve never been through anything like this.” That was Caitlin Clark’s recent, candid admission about a sophomore season derailed by frustrating, stop-and-go injuries. She’s missed 18 of the Indiana Fever’s 31 games, and every moment she’s on or near the court is now scrutinized with nervous anticipation. That anxiety spiked during the Fever’s recent game against the Chicago Sky when a seemingly innocuous sideline interaction sent a wave of concern through the fanbase and once again highlighted the fragility of her return.
The incident happened in a flash. As players milled around the bench area, Fever coach Karima Christmas-Kelly, while moving past, accidentally stepped squarely on Clark’s foot. The superstar, dressed in street clothes, immediately recoiled, her face contorting in visible pain. Christmas-Kelly rushed to her side, checking on her as she grimaced and grabbed her foot. For a few tense seconds, it looked like another setback in a season full of them. The arena, and fans watching at home, held their collective breath until Clark, after a moment, managed a reassuring smile, signaling she was okay.
While the scare was brief, it served as a stark reminder of Clark’s ongoing battle with a right groin strain she re-aggravated on July 15. Head coach Stephanie White has been clear that there is no firm timetable for her return, emphasizing the need to get her to 100% before she sees game action again. “We’re taking it one day at a time, really slow rolling it, slow playing it this time,” White said recently. Though Clark has progressed to full-speed running, she has yet to fully participate in team practices, leaving her status for the Fever’s crucial playoff push uncertain.
From the sidelines, Clark has had to watch as her team learns to win without her—and against the Sky, they didn’t just win, they dominated. In the 92-70 victory, the Fever showcased a new identity built on grit and a concentrated attack from their remaining stars. From the opening tip, Natasha Howard set the tone with a layup, but it was the duo of Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell who truly carried the load.
In the first quarter alone, Boston poured in 8 points while Mitchell orchestrated the offense, dishing out 4 assists and hitting key shots to build a 25-16 lead. It was a glimpse of the focused team the Fever can be, proving they can hold their own while their superstar cheers them on.
And as the team found its rhythm on the court, Clark found her own way to contribute from the bench, blending support with a bit of playful mischief.
Caitlin Clark leads cheers (and jeers) from the sideline
The dominant victory over the Sky was a statement of resilience for a team that had just lost two players to season-ending injuries. But a moment late in the fourth quarter revealed even more about the team’s surprisingly high spirits and the complex dynamic between Clark and her coach.
With the Fever leading by 20 and just over three minutes left on the clock, the offense was flowing. Forward Damiris Dantas was spotting up for a wide-open three-pointer when Coach White abruptly called a timeout, killing the play. The decision was immediately met with playful jeers from her own bench, led by none other than Clark herself, who jokingly booed the unpopular call.
Jun 19, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) talks to teammates during the third quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The moment perfectly captured the team’s mood and the unique relationship between its star and coach. With the game well in hand, the booing was a funny, public jab that played on their known history. Clark recently shared on a podcast how White had previously pulled her from a game for being too risky, calling it a “learning moment.” That context makes the sideline jeer even richer—it was a playful rebellion against a coach who is trying to instill discipline, even in the final minutes of a blowout.
In a week where the team lost guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson for the season, this easy camaraderie showed a group that remains connected and loose under pressure. It was a small, funny interaction that highlighted Clark’s engagement as a leader even while sidelined, and a team that is finding ways to have fun as they fight for their playoff lives.
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