It’s been nearly one and a half months since Caitlin Clark last stepped on the court. She last played against the Connecticut Sun on July 15. Her recent practice video hinted at a possible return to action, but HC Stephanie White opted to keep her out of the rotation against the Storm.
When asked about the coach’s plan to bring the guard back, White set some requirements that Clark needs to fulfil before getting back in action. Yet, the former WNBA player, Lisa Leslie, thinks that the franchise should not consider bringing the former Iowa guard back in 2025.
Lisa Leslie Advocates Shutting Down Caitlin Clark For The Season
The Indiana Fever is sitting comfortably in sixth place with a 20-18 record. They will play against the Los Angeles Sparks next, and winning that game will nearly confirm their place in the 2025 WNBA playoffs.
Importantly, many counted out the Fever team with a number of players out injured. The team’s biggest loss was injury to its 2024 rookie, who missed 25 games in total so far. In CC’s absence, Kelsey Mitchell’s plays put her in MVP discussions as she keeps the Indiana Fever in the playoff contention.
Looking at the team’s scenario and more importantly, the nature of the injury, Lis Leslie urged the Indiana franchise to bench the superstar guard for the rest of the season. She also provided reasons for her opinion.
“She could provide an amazing boost, but again, I’m just gonna put my coach’s hat on, my GM hat on. You want to see Caitlin Clark for the longevity of her career. I’m just thinking, me personally, I would not put Caitlin Clark back on the floor this season. That deep groin injury is nothing to play around with. It can feel like you’ve never had it, you make one move, one cut — boom — she’s back in the same spot. I don’t know that it’s worth risking it. If they get the eighth spot and you get into the playoffs, is it really worth looking at Minnesota in Round 1? I don’t know. That’s just my opinion,” Leslie said Tuesday on CBS Sports’ We Need to Talk show.
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"I would not put Caitlin Clark back on the floor this season." @LisaLeslie put her GM hat on when discussing the @IndianaFever star's injury. pic.twitter.com/psoQN5OuHS
— We Need To Talk (@WeNeedToTalk) August 26, 2025
Earlier in the ‘Show Me Something’ podcast, the Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham talked about the uncertainty of Caitlin Clark’s injury. The player is also working hard towards getting back to 100% fitness to get back on the court.
Caitlin Clark’s Return Is Vital For The Indiana Fever
Even though the idea behind shutting down the 2024 rookie is very generous, considering the player’s long-term health, the franchise is in dire need of some spark in the postseason, which only CC can provide. The team’s back-to-back losses against the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx highlight its struggles to counter strong opponents.
Moreover, the team failed to record a win over the Valkyries and Sparks, raising questions over the team’s consistency. In the playoffs, the side will only face top opponents which would require the players to perform at their peak.
In order to achieve the goal of winning the title, the Fever will rely on Caitlin Clark’s scoring and playmaking abilities. If the star receives a green signal by the medical staff and impresses HC White with her practice routine, she will be a ‘much-needed addition’ to the squad.