An Indiana Fever team spokesperson clarified to the IndyStar’s Chloe Peterson that the organization’s recent roster moves don’t have anything to do with the injury status of star guard Caitlin Clark.
Speculation ramped up on Monday afternoon that the Fever’s release of guard Kyra Lambert could be an indication that Clark’s return from injury was imminent.
This clarification from the Fever dampened the excitement over that possibility. At the same time, Indiana announced guard Sophie Cunningham had indeed suffered a season-ending injury. Peterson reported it was an MCL tear in Cunningham’s right knee.
In a corresponding move, the Fever signed veteran guard Shey Peddy on a hardship contract.
Peddy, a six-year WNBA veteran, most recently appeared with the Los Angeles Sparks. She averaged 5 points and 2.7 assists over six games played after signing with the team on a hardship contract. Prior to her time in Los Angeles, Peddy split her career between the Phoenix Mercury and Washington Mystics. She entered the WNBA in 2019.
Across her six seasons in the WNBA, Peddy has averaged 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game on 40.2% shooting from the floor, 31.7% from 3-point territory and 90.1% from the free-throw line.
Fever coach Stephanie White said before Indiana’s win on Sunday that the organization is still optimistic Clark returns before the regular season’s end.
“That’s the hope. The hope is that she’s back,” White said.
After returns from previous left quadriceps and left groin injuries resulted in Clark landing back on the injury shelf, the Fever have made a point to be more cautious with Clark in this latest injury return.
“The experience throughout the year, trying to come back and come back quickly, has also taught her that she needs to make sure that she’s 100 percent,” White said.
“Yes, every competitor wants to play, but at the same time doing it the right way and making sure, after we’ve had a couple of setbacks, that we’re prioritizing her long-term health and wellness is the most important thing.”
After Sunday’s absence, Clark has missed 13 consecutive regular-season games with her current right groin injury.
In her 13 games played this season, Clark is averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game on 36.7% field-goal shooting and 27.9% 3-point accuracy. Clark has missed 22 regular-season games and 23 contests overall, including the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final.
Indiana (19-16) picked up a dramatic 99-93 overtime win on Sunday over the Connecticut Sun. The Fever return to action on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. CT on Ion against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx (28-5).
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Fever downplay notion recent roster moves are indication of Caitlin Clark return
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
