The Indiana Fever are bracing for a tough challenge as they host the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, June 3, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with two key guards, Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, officially ruled out due to injuries. Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, is sidelined with a left quadriceps strain, while Cunningham is nursing a right ankle injury, further depleting an already thin Fever backcourt. This marks a critical moment for Indiana, who are 2-4 and coming off three straight losses, including an 83-77 defeat to the Mystics last week.
Clark’s absence, announced on May 26, has been a significant blow. The star point guard, averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds this season, suffered the quad injury following a loss to the New York Liberty. Her initial two-week recovery timeline means she’ll miss at least four games, with a potential return against the Atlanta Dream on June 10. Clark’s dynamic play, highlighted by a triple-double against the Chicago Sky and a 27-point, 11-assist performance versus Atlanta, has been central to Indiana’s offense. Without her, the Fever have struggled to find rhythm.
Cunningham’s injury compounds the issue. The veteran guard, who missed the first two games of the season with a right ankle sprain, re-aggravated the same injury during Friday’s 85-83 loss to the Connecticut Sun. Cunningham, who scored a season-high 10 points before exiting, has been forced into a primary ball-handling role in Clark’s absence, a shift from her natural position. Her absence leaves Indiana scrambling, with backup point guard Sydney Colson also doubtful due to an upper leg injury sustained in the same game.
Fever coach Stephanie White remains optimistic, viewing the adversity as an opportunity for growth. “It’s a chance for our team to find an identity,” White said, emphasizing the need for veterans like DeWanna Bonner and Kelsey Mitchell to step up. The team signed Aari McDonald via a hardship exception to bolster the roster, which is down to eight players. The Mystics (3-4), led by Brittney Sykes’ 22.3 points per game, are coming off a win against Indiana and pose a formidable challenge. With ESPN’s matchup predictor giving the Fever a 74.2% chance of victory, Indiana must dig deep to snap their skid.
