Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark will be sidelined for the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship game against the Minnesota Lynx due to a groin injury. The Fever made the announcement that Clark, who has struggled with injuries throughout the season, will not participate in the matchup scheduled for Tuesday night at Target Center.
Clark was previously listed as questionable leading up to the game, but after not participating in the open media practice session, it became clear she would be unable to play. This will mark her third consecutive game missed because of the groin issue, following her absence from five games earlier this season due to a quad injury. It’s worth noting that while the Commissioner’s Cup final is a significant game, it does not count towards the regular season’s 44-game tally.
In a more hopeful note, Clark did manage to engage in a non-contact practice session the day before, demonstrating her commitment to recovery and the team. She continues to earn recognition for her performance this season, being named the leading vote-getter and an All-Star starter and captain for the upcoming All-Star Game set for July 19 in Indianapolis.
The Lynx, sitting at 14-2 and the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions, will face the Fever, who have a record of 8-8, in pursuit of the championship and a prize pool of $500,000 for the winning team. As the Fever competes in this significant event for the first time since the inception of the in-season championship, fans remain optimistic about their potential and future prospects despite the absence of their star player.