Lisa Leslie advises Fever to shut down Caitlin Clark

Field Level Media|published: Wed 27th August, 12:12 2025

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to a call from the referee Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Dallas Wings defeated the Indiana Fever, 81-80.

Former WNBA star Lisa Leslie advised the Indiana Fever to resist the urge to play Caitlin Clark the rest of the 2025 season.

Clark remains limited in practice and there is no timetable for her to be back in the Fever lineup. She has missed 16 games in a row since a right groin injury on July 15. Clark has been treated for three different injuries since the season began and played on 13 games.

Leslie, a three-time WNBA MVP who played in the league from 1997-2009, suggested on CBS Sports "We Need to Talk" that Indiana should take the call out of Clark's hands and have her focus on the future.

"She could provide an amazing boost, but again, I'm just gonna put my coach's hat on, my GM hat on. You want to see Caitlin Clark for the longevity of her career," Leslie said. "I'm just thinking, me personally, I would not put Caitlin Clark back on the floor this season."

The urge to play Clark, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, might be difficult to ignore. When she has been on the court, Clark has produced, averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game.

Leslie said she's all too familiar with Clark's injury.

"That deep groin injury is nothing to play around with," she said. "It can feel like you've never had it, you make one move, one cut -- boom -- she's back in the same spot. I don't know that it's worth risking it. If they get the eighth spot and you get into the playoffs, is it really worth looking at Minnesota in Round 1? I don't know. That's just my opinion."

--Field Level Media

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