On the eve of the Indiana Fever’s (4-5) high-profile Saturday matchup against the New York Liberty (9-0), head coach Stephanie White provided a promising update on guards Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham’s recovery status.
Clark has been out since suffering a left quadriceps strain against the Liberty on May 24, while Cunningham has been absent with a right ankle injury sustained during the team’s May 31 loss to the Connecticut Sun.
On Friday, White informed the mass of reporters that both Clark and Cunningham would be available for the team on Saturday, barring any unexpected regression in their final tune-ups.
“She’s working her way back,” White told reporters of Clark. “I felt like today was better than yesterday in terms of just movement, balance and feeling like she’s getting back into rhythm, timing, all those things. As long as we don’t have any regression, she’s going to be ready to roll.”
The return of Cunningham should be a nice lift for the franchise as well.
“I think she’s going to be ready to roll as well,” White said. “Sophie looked really good. Her timing was good. Getting back into game rhythm and timing is the most important thing, and then being able to change directions. So they both look good.”
Despite the positive recovery news for Clark and Cunningham, White also said the team is expected to be without forward DeWanna Bonner, who has been away for personal reasons.
Regarding Clark, White said that the star’s overall rhythm on Friday was enough to push the needle towards a return on Saturday.
“I felt like today was better than yesterday in terms of just, you know, movement and balance and feeling like she’s getting back into rhythm, timing, all of those things,” White said. “And, you know, as long as we don’t have any regression, she’s gonna be ready to roll.”
Clark’s five games out of the lineup were the first time in her collegiate and professional career that she had missed time. The Fever star played all 139 games of her college career at Iowa and the first 46 games of her professional career with Indiana, dating back to 2020.
With the extended rest for both Clark and Cunningham, as the two were held out of Tuesday’s game in Atlanta, the reintegration of the star guards should significantly help the Fever’s offensive efficiency, as Indiana has averaged 77.6 points per game during Clark’s absence and 74 points per game following Cunningham’s injury.
Saturday’s game against the undefeated Liberty squad will be held at 2 p.m. CT from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as part of WNBA Commissioner’s Cup action. The premier matchup between the two talented franchises will be broadcast on ABC.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Is Caitlin Clark playing today? Indiana Fever update star’s status
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
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