Ring the bells, Indiana Fever fans, there’s finally reason to celebrate. The team’s final stretch to the postseason has been one big rollercoaster ride. They rattled off five straight wins, only to then lose both of their point guards for the season to injuries. But in the middle of all that adversity, a fresh wave of optimism has arrived with a promising Caitlin Clark update.

Clark has now missed 12 straight games with a right groin injury. She underwent medical evaluations last month, which revealed no additional damage. Still, head coach Stephanie White emphasized that the Indiana medical staff is giving the star guard all the time she needs to fully recover. But will she arrive too late as the Fever move shakily towards the playoffs? Apparently not.

The Fever are preparing to face the Connecticut Sun in hopes of snapping their two-game skid. And just before tip-off, head coach Stephanie White gave fans the news they were waiting for. Asked if she expects Caitlin Clark to return before the end of the regular season, White replied, “That’s the hope.”

With just ten games left on the schedule, that single line has reignited belief among Fever supporters. The countdown is now on, as the team and its fans eagerly wait to see if CC can make her much-anticipated return in time to fuel Indiana’s postseason charge. However, one WNBA legend believes Clark’s injury will be a looming presence for the entirety of her career.

Amidst return talks, WNBA legend paints grim reality of Caitlin Clark’s injury

The warning came from former LA Sparks player and WNBA legend, Lisa Leslie. She battled a groin injury in 2006 that lingered long after she stepped off the court. Speaking on We Need To Talk, Leslie admitted, “You can get back out there. But one move, one change of direction, and boom! You’re right back to feeling the same kind of pain.“ Now, she sees Clark facing a similar struggle midseason.

“You just learn how to manage and play with it,” Leslie added. Noting how groin strains can sap shooting lifts, she predicted the injury to be the cause of the dip in Clark’s stats upon return. Before the groin injury, CC played nine games, averaging 18.2 points and 8.8 assists per game. She did play four games after her return from injury, but she was not at her peak performance. Her averages fell to 12.5 points per game and 8.75 assists per game.

Even Caitlin Clark echoed the feeling Lisa Leslie talked about. “I’ve never been through anything like this, which is probably why it’s been so hard,” Clark said during an interview with Sue Bird. “I’ve never really dealt with injury. It’s probably been a challenge in itself because when I was first feeling pain, I didn’t understand it.” With Fever head coach giving a positive sign of her return, fans can only hope Clark proves Leslie wrong with her performance.