Caitlin Clark (quad) to sit Tuesday when Fever face Dream

Caitlin Clark has been declared out for Tuesday's WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream.

Clark, who has missed four games while rehabbing a quad strain, expressed hope last week that she would return to the Fever lineup on Tuesday.

Instead, she and teammate Sophie Cunningham will stay on the sidelines with the goal of being cleared for Saturday's game against the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty.

"We've got to work both (Caitlin) and Sophie back into ... are they in basketball condition?" Fever coach Stephanie White said after Monday's practice. "You know, what does it mean to go live? It's one thing to do some shooting drills. It's another thing to get out there on the floor, get back into movement patterns, rhythm, timing.

"Both of them being out for long periods of time, you've got to work your way back into being game-ready."

Clark has averaged 19.0 points, 9.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds in her four appearances this season. The Fever went 2-2 with Clark in the lineup and have gone 2-2 with her on the sidelines.

"She's been allowed to do some practicing," White said. "Not everything. And we're going to be smart. We're going to be cautious and we're going to play the long game and work her back in very intentionally."

--Field Level Media