The Indiana Fever’s 2025 season started with championship dreams, fueled by a revamped roster and the star power of Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. But injuries have turned their campaign into a survival test.
Despite starting as a crowd favourite, the Fever’s chances are thin as the rookie is out for 15 straight games due to groin and ankle injuries, missing 25 total this year. Though Clark’s return could ignite Fever’s slim playoff chances, it won’t be a cakewalk.
Indiana Fever Still In Playoff Consideration Without Caitlin Clark
Despite the chaos, the Fever are still viewed as title contenders, with a very fancy viewpoint. Sitting at a mere eighth place with a 19-18 record and an 88% chance of making the playoffs, per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index. With Clark’s return uncertain, it’s their depth and grit keeping them in the conversation.
Early on, the Fever looked unstoppable. They torched the Chicago Sky 93-58 in their opener, with Clark dropping a triple-double, and pushed the defending champion New York Liberty to the final seconds in a 90-88 loss. Offseason additions like Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, and Sophie Cunningham brought playoff experience, and coach Stephanie White had the team firing on all cylinders, even winning the Commissioner’s Cup.
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▪️ Aces climb to #3 with a 10-game win streak
▪️ Liberty move down to #5
▪️ Storm surge to #6 after a strong weekend
▪️ Fever drop down to #8
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But Clark’s absence since July 15, coupled with season-ending injuries to guards Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, and Cunningham, has stretched the roster thin.
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Yet, the Fever keep fighting. They’ve gone 11-13 without Clark, leaning on Kelsey Mitchell’s scoring (38 points against the Lynx) and Boston’s efficiency (78% shooting over four games). Lexie Hull’s stepped up, hitting nearly half her threes as a starter, and Natasha Howard’s been a defensive force.
Additionally, new additions like Shey Peddy and Aerial Powers have helped, with Peddy filling in after Odyssey Sims’ groin injury. A wild 21-point comeback against Connecticut showed their heart, even if their offense stalls without Clark’s playmaking.
Caitlin Clark’s Return Still Hanging By A Thread
While it’s great to still consider the Fever in the playoff picture, recent developments have only been positive, if any. Recently, the star rookie has shown great signs of heading back to the wood court. Clark is reportedly edging towards recovery with Fever shootarounds lately.
Caitlin Clark is participating in shootaround this morning, going through warmups then some non-contact drills with the second team.
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) August 24, 2025
She has not officially returned to practice, I’m told, but this her first time working with the team since her injury. https://t.co/xBYcjZM8zO pic.twitter.com/azG0kJ0L36
Her potential return could be a game-changer, though no timeline is set. Her 16.5 points and 8.8 assists per game open up the floor, and ESPN’s BPI gives the Fever a 28.1% shot at the semifinals if she’s back. Without her, their margin for error shrinks as teams like the Lynx and Liberty have deeper benches.