**Indiana Fever Face Challenges as Sydney Colson Sidelined for Two Weeks**
The Indiana Fever are grappling with a deepening injury crisis as head coach Stephanie White announced that veteran point guard Sydney Colson will be out for at least two weeks due to a minor left leg injury sustained during the first quarter of their 85-83 loss to the Connecticut Sun on May 30, 2025. This blow comes as the team is already navigating the absence of star guard Caitlin Clark, who is sidelined with a left quadriceps strain, leaving the Fever dangerously thin in their backcourt. With additional concerns surrounding reserve guard Sophie Cunningham’s right ankle injury, the team faces significant challenges in maintaining their early-season momentum.
Colson, a 35-year-old veteran signed in the offseason to serve as Clark’s backup, was thrust into the starting lineup for the Fever’s game against the Washington Mystics on May 28, following Clark’s injury announcement. Despite her championship experience with the Las Vegas Aces, Colson struggled to fill Clark’s shoes, averaging just four points on 2-of-7 shooting in 31 minutes against the Mystics. Her injury against the Sun occurred when she got tangled with Connecticut’s Jacy Sheldon while chasing a loose ball, forcing her to leave the game after just nine minutes. The Fever later ruled her out for the remainder of the contest, and White confirmed the two-week recovery timeline post-game, noting Colson was seen in the locker room but offering no further details on her condition.
The loss of Colson exacerbates an already precarious situation for Indiana, who are now 2-4 after dropping two straight games without Clark. The team’s offense, heavily reliant on Clark’s playmaking and scoring (19 points per game, eighth in the WNBA), has struggled to find rhythm. Coach White turned to Colson and Cunningham to handle point guard duties, but with both players now injured, the Fever are forced to rely on shooting guards Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull to manage ball-handling responsibilities. Mitchell, a two-time All-Star, led a furious fourth-quarter comeback against the Sun with a 16-0 run, but her airballed three-pointer in the final seconds sealed Indiana’s fate. White praised Mitchell’s effort but acknowledged the strain of asking non-primary ball-handlers to fill the void.
White, in her first year back with the Fever after coaching the Connecticut Sun, has emphasized the opportunity for growth amidst adversity. “We’re hitting adversity right now. It’s challenging, but it’s a great opportunity for us,” she said, per reporter Scott Agness. However, fan frustration is mounting, with some criticizing White’s rotations, particularly Colson’s heavy minutes in the Mystics loss. Social media posts on X reflected discontent, with users questioning the team’s depth and White’s decision-making.
With Clark and Colson out until at least June 9, and Cunningham’s status uncertain after re-injuring her ankle, the Fever may consider an emergency hardship exception to bolster their roster. Upcoming games against the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky will test Indiana’s depth, with veterans like DeWanna Bonner and Aliyah Boston needing to step up offensively. Despite the setbacks, White remains optimistic, viewing this stretch as a chance to build team identity and resilience for a postseason push.
