The Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis was buzzing with anticipation Friday night as the Indiana Fever hosted the league-leading Minnesota Lynx in a much-anticipated WNBA showdown. But the excitement was tempered by a slew of injuries to some of the league’s biggest stars, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering who would step up and seize the moment.
Both teams entered the contest with their own unique challenges. The Fever, sitting at 19-16 before tipoff, were already reeling from the absence of Caitlin Clark, their dynamic guard and last season’s Rookie of the Year. Clark, who was the preseason betting favorite for MVP, has been sidelined since July 15 with a right groin injury, marking her fourth muscle injury this season. She’s now missed 13 straight games and, according to coach Stephanie White, there’s still no set timetable for her return. "The most important thing continues to be that she is 100% when she’s ready to come back. The timing is never ideal, but her long-term health and wellness is the most-important thing," White emphasized before the game. When pressed about Clark’s possible return before the end of the regular season, White added, "That’s the hope. The hope is that she’s back."
Clark’s injury woes have been a major storyline throughout the 2025 campaign. After never missing a single game during her college career or her Rookie of the Year season, she’s now missed 23 games due to three separate injuries this year. The most recent setback came in the closing seconds of a July 15 win over the Connecticut Sun, when she left the court after delivering a bounce-pass assist to Kelsey Mitchell. Clark finished that game with 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and a steal, but the discomfort in her lower body was evident. Subsequent imaging revealed no new damage, but the Fever are erring on the side of caution as they eye a playoff push.
Clark isn’t the only notable absence for Indiana. Sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham suffered a season-ending right knee injury, and forward Chloe Bibby was ruled out for Friday’s game with a left knee injury. That left the Fever’s starting lineup in the hands of Odyssey Sims, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Natasha Howard, and Aliyah Boston. Indiana’s hopes for offensive firepower now rest largely on Kelsey Mitchell, who has been nothing short of sensational this season. Mitchell enters the matchup averaging 20.4 points per game, ranking fourth in the WNBA, and her ability to generate offense under pressure has been a lifeline for the injury-depleted Fever.
On the other side of the court, the Minnesota Lynx faced their own adversity. The Lynx, who have sat atop the league standings all summer, were forced to play without MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier. Collier, who has dazzled fans and opponents alike with her all-around play, was ruled out due to a right ankle injury. She also missed Thursday’s contest against the Atlanta Dream, marking back-to-back games on the sidelines. Her absence was a significant blow for Minnesota, especially considering that she’s cleared the 28.5 points + rebounds + assists mark in 21 of 27 outings this year. Experts Calvin Wetzel and Aaron Barzilai, who have built a reputation for sharp WNBA picks, noted before tipoff that, "This line should be in the high single digits if Collier suits up, and there’s enough of a chance of that that I’m willing to bet on it." However, with Collier officially ruled out, the Lynx would have to rely on their depth and resilience to get the job done.
The Lynx’s starting five for the night featured Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, and Jessica Shepard. Despite two straight losses prior to the Fever game, Minnesota had shown enough grit and quality to remain favorites, with ESPN’s matchup predictor giving them a 61.7% chance to win. The absence of Collier, however, cast a shadow over their offensive and defensive schemes, forcing coach Cheryl Reeve to adjust on the fly.
Tipoff was set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time (6:30 p.m. Central), with national TV coverage on ION and streaming options available on FUBO and Amazon League Pass. Fans in Indianapolis could also tune in to 93.5 and 107.5 FM for radio coverage, as local broadcasters John Nolan and Bria Goss provided play-by-play and analysis. The Fever’s media coverage continues to expand, with Chloe Peterson and the IndyStar team offering live updates and newsletters for the ever-growing Caitlin Clark fanbase.
Despite the high-profile absences, the matchup still promised plenty of intrigue. The Fever, trying to solidify their playoff position, faced a Lynx team determined to maintain its spot atop the standings. Indiana’s recent form has been up and down, but their resilience in the face of adversity has been impressive. The loss of both Clark and Cunningham left a significant scoring void, but the likes of Mitchell, Boston, and Howard have stepped up in key moments throughout the season.
For Minnesota, the question was whether their supporting cast could rise to the occasion without Collier. Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams have both shown flashes of brilliance, and Alanna Smith’s versatility has been a valuable asset. The Lynx have played a disciplined and physical brand of basketball all year, and their ability to adapt to lineup changes has been a hallmark of coach Reeve’s tenure.
The betting world was also watching closely. Wetzel and Barzilai’s picks included Minnesota -6.5 on the point spread and, had Collier played, a wager on her exceeding 28.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists. With Collier ruled out, those bets would be void, but the experts’ confidence in Minnesota’s depth remained a talking point. The Fever, meanwhile, entered the game as +2200 longshots to win the WNBA championship, according to odds provided by DraftKings.
Looking ahead, the Fever’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. After Friday’s game, Indiana faces a quick turnaround with a rematch against the Lynx in Minnesota on August 24, followed by home and away contests against the Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, and Golden State Valkyries to close out the month. The team’s playoff hopes may well hinge on the return of Clark and the continued brilliance of Mitchell and Boston.
As the action unfolded at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, one thing was clear: both teams are being tested by adversity at a crucial point in the season. With stars sidelined and playoff positions on the line, every possession, every defensive stand, and every coaching adjustment mattered. Whether the Fever could pull off an upset or the Lynx would showcase their depth, fans were treated to a hard-fought, drama-filled night of WNBA basketball—and the storylines are far from over as the season races toward its thrilling conclusion.
