rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
Fever HC Stephanie White gives promising injury updates on Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham as Caitlin Clark remains out with a quad injury
The Indiana Fever have been hit hard by injuries to start the WNBA season, but after a tough stretch that saw star Caitlin Clark and two other key players sidelined, head coach Stephanie White finally had some good news to share.
Clark, who’s missed the last few games with a left quad strain, has been ruled out for at least two weeks. While there’s still no firm return date, the team remains hopeful she’ll be back sometime in June. Clark had been off to a strong start, averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds, and a league-best 9.3 assists through her first four games.
In the meantime, the Fever have also been without veterans Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham, both of whom were injured during last week’s loss to the Connecticut Sun. Colson went down with a leg injury, and Cunningham re-injured her ankle — an issue that’s bothered her since the preseason.
READ MORE: Scottie Scheffler continuing to have the last laugh over Phil Mickelson predictionREAD MORE: Tiger Woods’ son Charlie’s ‘I’m broke’ claim as true net worth clear after trust fund revelation
On Saturday, White offered an encouraging update on both.
“We got good news from both of their MRIs, as good of news as you can get,” White began optimistically. “So right now, it’s a day-to-day thing. We’re looking forward to, hopefully, them returning at some point sooner rather than later. But at the same time, it’s how each of them progresses in their rehab and in their return to the court action.”
White said Colson, in particular, has been making noticeable progress.
“Syd’s been progressing really quickly,” she said. “She’s going to get out there and get some shots up too, so we’ll see where she sits when she comes back after her recovery from today, make sure we don’t have any setbacks, and then we’ll see where she is tomorrow.”
The team also held out forward Damiris Dantas from practice, but White said it was simply a precaution.
“Just a rest day for DD,” White explained. “She’s got a lot of miles on, and [we’re] making sure she gets a little bit of rest. She’s had a little bit of soreness in her lower body, so [we] don’t want that to create or turn into anything.”
READ MORE: Pacers need Caitlin Clark to attend as many games as possible during NBA FinalsREAD MORE: LeBron James gets to see Luka Doncic’s true colors after no-word announcement built suspense
The Fever have had to get creative with their rotation and roster as injuries pile up. On Saturday, the team signed former No. 3 overall pick Aari McDonald to a hardship contract to help fill the gap in the backcourt.
White admitted the team’s front office has been working hard to keep things on track.
“Trying to figure out all of our options,” White answered honestly. “From potential hardship contracts and players and who’s available to how [we are] with our coaches, really. How we reimagine how we’re using our players. So we’ve had a good opportunity in practice today to get a lot of different looks.”
The Fever next face the Washington Mystics as they try to regroup and stay competitive while waiting for their stars — including Clark — to return.
