If anything, the Indiana Fever are having it all. They were the fan favorites to make it to the playoffs. The Fever are still seen as title contenders despite Caitlin Clark’s uncertain return. And now, they are heading towards an exciting stretch of the postseason drama.
The Fever lost 75-63 to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, and it was chaotic enough. However, a shot clock malfunction in the first quarter turned the game into a circus. Clark, sidelined with a groin injury for her 18th straight game, couldn’t hide her frustration from the bench. And as the cameras caught her reaction as the bizarre delay stretched on.
Caitlin Clark Frustrated Over Clock Malfunction
With the Fever fighting to lock in a playoff spot, the disruption took it all away. The trouble started early when the shot clock failed to reset on Indiana’s first possession. It soon triggered a five-minute pause.
Barely a minute of game time later, another malfunction caused a 20-minute delay, long enough for players, including Clark, to retreat to the locker rooms. Clark, in street clothes, was shaking her head as cameras even caught her instant frustration with the ordeal.
“We can’t play with that,” she said.
Game is halted due to a clock malfunction Caitlin said “we can’t play with that” 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/qdE02wQWNG
— correlation (@nosyone4) September 1, 2025
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However, the Fever, at 21-19 and clinging to the eighth seed, were already shorthanded without Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, and Sydney Colson, all out with season-ending injuries. The stop-start game didn’t help, as Indiana shot a dismal 35.4% from the field.
Kelsey Mitchell led with 14 points, but the Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert dropped a career-high 21 points, and their 63.2% three-point shooting overwhelmed the Fever. The clock issues, blamed on a morning power outage at Chase Center, turned a crucial playoff race game into a two-hour, 38-minute slog.
Fever Going Through Testing Phase In Caitlin Clark’s Absence
While the Iowa alum’s reaction resonated because it mirrored the Fever’s tough season, the 23-year-old was all happy during the game. Clark also had a great time exchanging hugs with NFL star George Kittle.
However, she’s averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in just 13 games. Though she started strong, injuries plagued her way. First with a quad strain, a groin sprain, and then an ankle issue.
Caitlin greeting the Kittles and Juszczyks pic.twitter.com/R7VIEYsdhg
— correlation (@nosyone4) September 1, 2025
Her absence has tested coach Stephanie White’s squad, yet they’ve stayed in playoff contention, thanks to players like Aliyah Boston, who had 10 points and eight rebounds against Golden State.
With four games left, against the Phoenix Mercury, Chicago Sky, Washington Mystics, and Minnesota Lynx, the Fever’s playoff hopes hang in the balance. Clark’s return remains uncertain, with coach White emphasizing she needs full-contact practice first.