Less than a few weeks ago, the world wondered if the Indiana Fever could make the playoffs without Caitlin Clark. Well, the answer is very well in front of us; they’ve nearly punched their ticket. They did it not on Clark’s back, but on the strong shoulders of Kelsey Mitchell, Aari McDonald, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, and Natasha Howard. Then, in a bad turn of events, three of those names vanished to season-ending injuries.

Suddenly, the question has now grown sharper. Could the Fever not just make the playoffs, but win in them, without Clark, and without half their core? Fans had already weighed in. When we asked our She Got Game readers, nearly 67 percent voted that shutting down Clark for the rest of the year is the wisest move. Now, analysts like Fitz and Fenton of Yahoo! Sports share the same caution. Clark, dealing with a string of nagging injuries, has played just 13 games this season. Keeping that in mind, Stephanie White has been careful with her star. “Would want to see Clark fully participate in practice before she returns,” she said.

Now, with only six regular-season games and less that 2 weeks left (Indiana’s last on Sept. 9, two days before the league closes its calendar) the window is brutally tight. Of course, the temptation is obvious. “If you add Caitlin Clark back in, not only can they win a couple of playoff games maybe that they weren’t supposed to, maybe the Fever shocked the world… and actually win a playoff series or can even make a push for the playoffs.” But that is short-term temptation. However, as the analysts put it, “if you’re the Fever right now, everything has house money. Every game you can win is just with house money.”

Basically, Indiana has already outpaced expectations by surviving without Clark, McDonald, Colson, and Cunningham. Every extra win is a bonus, not a necessity. And that’s where the long game takes over. The final verdict of analysts, just like our readers, is to focus on long-term caution. “You hold back Caitlyn Clark, understanding that that’s going to help you more in 2026 more than it ever could in 2025.”

Here’s why that makes sense: “let’s say, if the Fever draw the Minnesota Lynx, the best team in the WNBA, in the first round of the playoffs. What does adding Caitlyn do for you right now that’s more valuable than what she can do for you in the long run at 100%?” The truth is, the decision doesn’t yield enough value compared to the risk. She could help a little now, but her full health for 2026 is far more important to the team’s championship window. Both fans and analysts agree, is to play the patient hand.

Caitlin Clark’s return: Readers, Analysts, and now Legends Say the Same Thing

Caitlin Clark has already missed 25 games of the 2025 WNBA season, and there is still no clarity regarding when she might return to the court. With the league’s most high-profile player sidelined, of course, a wave of opinions has emerged from analysts, coaches, and former stars about her uncertain future this year.

As Rachel DeMita put it weeks ago: “Maybe this season is just done for her (Caitlin Clark). Maybe it doesn’t make sense for her to come back into the mix if the Fever aren’t contenders. Are the Fever contenders at this point? I’m just not so sure. Do you risk another injury that can again compound and compound and turn into something else down the line?”

Those words really struck a chord with everyone. Even the WNBA legend Lisa Leslie entered the debate firmly: “I would not put Caitlin Clark back on the floor this season.” Her stance echoed what many fear. It hinted that even a minor setback could jeopardize Clark’s long-term health.

Then, Terrika Foster-Brasby added further doubts, noting that Clark is “not only still nursing that groin injury, but was recently reported as having a mild bone bruise. I’ve had a bone bruise before and it wasn’t mild, it took a while to heal.” Or as Leslie summed up: “She could provide an amazing boost, but again… you want to see Caitlin Clark for the longevity of her career. Me personally, I would not put Caitlin Clark back on the floor this season.” 

Adding to the chorus, ESPN’s Andraya Carter said on-air that Indiana should “resist the urge to rush greatness” — a phrase that resonated across social media, with thousands of fans on Reddit’s r/WNBA board echoing the same line. On X, the phrase “shut her down” trended briefly after the Fever’s last game, showing how fan sentiment now mirrors what coaches and legends are saying.

The Fever’s own front office has been more guarded, refusing to commit either way, but Stephanie White has subtly signaled the team’s direction. By stressing Clark must be ‘fully practicing’ before any decision, she essentially handed the timeline to the medical staff, not the standings. That distinction matters.

All of these verdicts echo the same call, however, what’s your opinion? Let us know in the comments!