​Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been dealing with injuries for a second consecutive season, but the WNBA All-Star is beginning to show progress in her persistent back issue. She will suit up for the Fever against the Las Vegas Aces, yet she will again play under a minutes restriction. Clark is expected to log 20-25 minutes on Sunday night, but a new wrinkle to the limit suggests the team is aiming to ramp her back up toward a full-time role.
According to Chloe Patterson of the Indy Star, the Fever and head coach Stephanie White have decided to abandon three-minute bursts on the restricted minutes as Clark returns. Instead, the plan is to let her settle into rhythm and find her groove while avoiding any flare-ups. By extending her time on the floor, Clark can work on rebuilding her endurance after being limited in recent weeks.
“Certainly, you want to expand the times that she’s on the floor together without having periods of time where you’re sitting and you’re getting stiff,” White said ahead of Sunday night’s game. “Some of that will be collaborating with her and her just letting us know how she feels, some of that will be trying to objectively look at how her movement patterns are and how she’s moving, and some of it will be strategy, saving some minutes for the fourth quarter, saving some minutes for the second half.”
Clark has posted averages of 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game this season, making the push to return to full strength beneficial for everyone on the team. Indiana has managed to stay competitive without Clark in the lineup or while she’s limited, but there’s no denying that her presence elevates those around her. The big question for Sunday night will be how the updated minutes restriction affects the Fever’s flow and how the team adapts as Clark gradually increases her workload.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The latest updates will be watched closely as Clark tests her back and the Fever gauge how best to balance rest and rhythm with a player who clearly makes a difference when on the court.