Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark was in attendance for her team's 85-75 loss against the Los Angeles Sparks despite not playing. The Fever point guard is currently nursing a groin injury that she picked up against the Seattle Storm and is currently listed as day-to-day. Clark has looked every bit of her All-WNBA self when she's played, but the Fever have gotten off to a slow start by their hefty standards. Indiana currently sits at 7-8 overall and eighth overall in the league standings.

This team has struggled when Clark has been unavailable, and tonight was no exception, as they suffered a defeat to a Sparks team that has gotten off to a very slow start. Despite speculation that the 2024 Rookie of the Year would not be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Fever reporter Tony East confirmed Clark's presence on the bench in a post on social media.

“Been asked a few times: Yes, Caitlin Clark is here for Fever-Sparks. Standing and laughing with assistant coach Briann January just before tip-off.”

Article Continues Below
More Indiana Fever News
Wings Paige Bueckers and Fever Caitlin Clark in image. Place a lot of microphones in front of them as if there are a lot of reporters speaking to them. Also place the eyes emoji all over image looking at them.
What Paige Bueckers has learned from Caitlin Clark amid ‘inhumane’ expectationsJoey Mistretta ·
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) falls down awkwardly during the second half against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena.
Fever’s Caitlin Clark MRI revealed by coach after groin injuryMalik Brown ·
Seattle Storm guard Erica Wheeler (17) checks on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena.
Fever star Caitlin Clark ruled out with injury for Sparks matchupJason Patt ·
Joy Taylor Caitlin Clark
Joy Taylor reveals why she thinks Caitlin Clark is popularAutumn Hawkins ·
USA Women's National Team guard Chelsea Gray shoots against the Team WNBA during the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center.
Kevin Hart drops inaugural ‘Fever Fest’ lineup ahead of 2025 WNBA All-Star WeekendBen Strauss ·
Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner celebrates a 3-pointer during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
DeWanna Bonner breaks silence after parting ways with Caitlin Clark-led FeverJess Koffie ·

Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 20 points as Indiana had five players in double figures. Unfortunately, the Fever couldn't get consistent stops on a Kelsey Plum-led Sparks offense. The three-time All-Star controlled the game with 21 points and six assists while Los Angeles forward Azura Stevens put up a game-high 23 points on 9/12 shooting from the field. Both the Fever's offense and defense have been relatively middle-tier this season, which is somewhat par for the course for a team that added so many new pieces.

Indiana's front office was aggressive this offseason, signing decorated veterans like DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard to the roster. The Fever also brought on successful role players like Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson to fill out a roster that, on paper, looks like a title contender. And this group has shown those flashes before, particularly in the 102-88 victory over the defending champion New York Liberty. Clark has missed six games so far, which is part of the reason for the slow start, but right now the Fever are going through some growing pains.

Fortunately, there's plenty of time left to move up the WNBA standings. So far, the Liberty and Minnesota Lynx look like the two preeminent title contenders while the Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream are off to impressive starts. There's plenty of room for another contender among that bunch, and out of the rest of the teams, the Fever have by far the most talent. But Indiana needs to stay healthy and improve its chemistry to contend for anything. The team's release of Bonner showed something wasn't quite right behind the scenes.