SAN FRANCISCO — Arguably the biggest star in the WNBA will not suit up against the Valkyries on Sunday.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark will be sidelined for an 18th consecutive game with a groin injury as the teams tip off at Chase Center at 5:30 p.m. Clark has not played since July 15, when Indiana faced the Connecticut Sun and Clark shot 4 of 14 from the field.
The top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has participated in recent walkthroughs, but has not practiced with the team.
“I want to see her continue to work to not just build endurance, but to be able to handle contact 94 feet as it’s going to be in-game, and to be able to do that and sustain from an endurance standpoint,” Fever coach Stephanie White said on Tuesday. “That’s going to take multiple practices to make sure that there’s no regression. And, as most of us know, when we get fatigued, we look different, and see how she plays through fatigue.”
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In 13 games this season, Clark has averaged 16.5 points and 8.8 assists per game on 36.7% shooting.
The Fever entered Sunday 21-18 and in possession of the No. 6 seed. The Valkyries are 20-18 and the eighth seed.
During Clark’s one visit to the Bay Area in June, the Valkyries’ defense held the guard to 3 of 14 shooting and 0 of 7 from the 3-point line.
