Caitlin Clark’s popularity is nothing the WNBA has ever seen and her impact on the WNBA has been historic from record-breaking rookie performances, having the best-selling jersey to instant fan icon status.

Caitlin Clark has been sidelined since late May after suffering a left quadriceps strain during the Indiana Fever’s May 24 matchup against the New York Liberty. The injury occurred midway through the second quarter when Clark landed awkwardly after a contested layup. Though she initially stayed in the game, team doctors later confirmed the strain following postgame evaluations. The Fever have taken a cautious approach with her recovery, aiming to avoid any long-term issues with the star rookie’s explosive playstyle. Her absence has noticeably impacted the team’s offensive flow and attendance figures,

Caitlin Clark Injury Update & Recovery Status

Despite that, Clark has begun limited practice sessions and conditioning work—part of a cautious ramp-up plan. The Fever have gone 2–2 since her injury, hovering at .500 and scrambling to maintain momentum. With the next few matchups—including games against Atlanta and Liberty—looming, everyone is watching to see if Clark is ready to return. For now, the question remains: exactly when will Caitlin Clark be back on the court?

Clark suffered a left quad strain on May 24 against New York, and the Fever immediately ruled her out for at least two weeks. That timeline officially took her through early June, but coach Stephanie White confirmed she remains sidelined through at least Tuesday’s scheduled game versus the Atlanta Dream. However, it’s not all red flags—Clark has started participating in limited practice sessions and conditioning drills. White emphasized in press briefings that while Clark is “ramping back up,” she isn’t cleared for full five-on-five basketball yet.

Coach White tentatively suggested Clark could be available for a matchup against the New York Liberty coming up on Saturday. But the Fever remain cautious—Clark must prove she can handle full-court movement, lateral shifts, and game-driven stress before being cleared. Practically speaking, that opens a possible return date for Friday’s game against the Liberty or Sunday’s contest with the Connecticut Sun. It all rests on how her quad responds to ramp-up sessions and the team’s medical review this weekend.

Per Clark herself, she won’t be rushing back because “it’s just not worth it” to risk re-injury. True to form, she’s shown discipline, staying on top of rehab while contributing from the sidelines as a voice of morale . That maturity, even while injured, underscores why the Fever, and the WNBA, value her presence on and off the court.

Impact on the Fever

The Fever went 2‑2 without Clark, showing they can compete but struggle to maintain elite offensive flow. Her star power also reaches beyond the hardwood—buzz around Clark has even influenced entertainment and gaming trends, with searches for her name spiking across WNBA fantasy leagues and international betting platforms like Nyttcasino, which cover U.S. sports. Bringing Clark back could boost optimism in time for key conference matchups—including a rematch with the Liberty.

Prior to injury, Clark averaged a solid 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 6 rebounds over four games. Her absence has been significant for the Fever: they’re scoring less, their marker distribution has narrowed, and bench players are being asked to elevate. Ticket prices have even taken a hit—one match against Chicago saw tickets dip as low as $7.

Clark’s return timeline is cautiously optimistic. If she can clear the final rehab hurdles and conditioning tests, games on Saturday vs. Liberty or Sunday vs. Sun seem likely options. The Fever’s cautious, stepwise approach doesn’t offer firm dates—but it reflects a blueprint for responsible athlete care. A clear or indexed timeline could shift depending on how she performs in full‑court drills this week. Once back, Clark’s offensive spark and court vision could jumpstart a Fever team pacing for the playoffs. Keep an eye on early next week when Caitlin Clark will likely return from injury.