Cynthia Cooper Tells Caitlin Clark: “You’ve Got to Heal”

The Indiana Fever’s playoff push continues to accentuate, however the franchise stays with out star guard Caitlin Clark, who remains to be sidelined with a groin harm suffered on July 17 towards the Connecticut Solar.

Clark has now missed 17 straight video games and 25 total this season. Whereas she has not too long ago taken half in pregame shootarounds and group walkthroughs — together with on Aug. 24 and Aug. 29 — her exercise stays restricted to non-contact drills. Fever head coach Stephanie White has reiterated Clark will want a number of full-contact practices earlier than any return is taken into account.

Indiana Fever Seize Key Street Win

On Friday evening in Los Angeles, the Fever (21-18) strengthened their postseason outlook with a dramatic 76-75 victory over the Sparks (17-20). Odyssey Sims, waived by Los Angeles in July earlier than signing with Indiana on Aug. 10, scored the group’s last 5 factors, together with the game-winning runner with 13.6 seconds left.

Sims completed with 21 factors, six rebounds, and three assists, marking her second consecutive 20-point outing. All-Star heart Aliyah Boston anchored the Fever with 22 factors, 11 rebounds, and a career-high six steals. Kelsey Mitchell added 12 factors as Indiana’s magic quantity to clinch a playoff berth dropped to 3 with 5 video games remaining.

The Fever proceed their highway swing at Golden State on Sunday earlier than visiting Phoenix on Tuesday. They return residence subsequent Friday towards Chicago.

Cynthia Cooper Urges Persistence

As Indiana fights for playoff positioning, one of the embellished gamers in league historical past is advising warning with Clark’s restoration.

“You’ve obtained to heal,” Cynthia Cooper mentioned throughout an Aug. 30 look on CBS Sports activities’ We Must Discuss. “You possibly can’t undergo a season dipping in, popping out… simply heal. As a result of after we see Caitlin Clark, we wish to see the true Caitlin Clark. We wish to see you play the best way we all know you’re able to taking part in, with the fireplace you convey to each single recreation and each single competitors, each single matchup. We wish to see you shine.”

Cooper added: “So heal, sweetheart. Let your leg heal. So if you come out, you’re firing on all cylinders, and also you’re the Caitlin Clark — you’re higher than the Caitlin Clark — we noticed in your rookie yr. And preserve your thoughts proper throughout this part that you must heal. Simply preserve your hearth going, and be able to step again on the market on the court docket, each bodily and mentally.”

Lisa Leslie’s Take

Corridor of Famer Lisa Leslie echoed comparable considerations earlier this week, suggesting Clark shouldn’t return this season in any respect, even when the Fever safe a playoff spot.

“You wish to see Caitlin Clark for the longevity of her profession. I’m simply considering, me personally, I’d not put Caitlin Clark again on the ground this season,” Leslie advised CBS Sports activities.

“I’d not put Caitlin Clark again on the ground this season.” @LisaLeslie put her GM hat on when discussing the @IndianaFever star’s harm. pic.twitter.com/psoQN5OuHS

— We Want To Discuss (@WeNeedToTalk) August 26, 2025

Leslie, who handled a deep groin harm throughout her profession, warned of the dangers: “That deep groin harm is nothing to mess around with. It will possibly really feel such as you’ve by no means had it, you make one transfer, one minimize — increase — she’s again in the identical spot. I don’t know that it’s price risking it. In the event that they get the eighth spot and also you get into the playoffs, is it actually price taking a look at Minnesota in Spherical 1? I don’t know. That’s simply my opinion.”

Balancing Caitlin Clark’s State of affairs

The Fever’s playoff hopes are inside attain, however Clark’s well being stays a fragile stability of short-term achieve and long-term safety. Her aggressive drive could push for a return if Indiana locks in a postseason berth, however each Cooper and Leslie — two of the sport’s all-time greats — have urged her to prioritize full restoration over dashing again too quickly.

For now, Clark is proscribed to gentle participation, with no confirmed timetable for her return. Indiana’s postseason run could unfold with out its star rookie, however the franchise is weighing the larger image: making certain Clark is wholesome and able to lead the Fever effectively past 2025.