ATLANTA — Caitlin Clark is not eligible to return for the Indiana Fever for the rest of the season, even if she was fully recovered and able to play.
While Clark could have returned at any point in the regular season, each team needs to submit an active roster ahead of the WNBA playoffs. Only players on that submitted active roster are eligible to play in the postseason.
Clark, who is out for the season with a right groin injury, was left off the active roster. The 2024 Rookie of the Year and All-WNBA First Team honoree was limited to 13 games with various injuries, including those to her left quad, left groin, right groin, and left ankle.
The other four Fever players with season-ending injuries — Sydney Colson (left ACL), Aari McDonald (right foot), Sophie Cunningham (right MCL) and Chloe Bibby (right knee) — were also left off the Fever’s playoff active roster.
That left the Fever with 11 players on the active roster, four of which are signed with hardship waivers: Odyssey Sims, Aerial Powers, Shey Peddy and Bree Hall.
Indiana has had 10 available players throughout the playoffs so far, as Damiris Dantas suffered a concussion last week and has missed all three games. Should the Fever advance further in the playoffs, Dantas would be eligible to return as she was listed on the Fever’s playoff active roster.