No Caitlin Clark, no problem.
Four days after Clark announced her season was over with a right groin injury, the Indiana Fever clinched the seventh playoff spot for the WNBA postseason which open Sunday, Sept. 14. The Fever beat the Washington Mystics, 94-65, to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season despite myriad setbacks.
The Fever lost five players for the season with injuries including Clark. Guards Sydney Colson (knee), Aari McDonald (foot) Sophie Cunningham (knee) and forward Chloe Bibby (knee) are also out.
In their absence, the Fever have used nine different starting lineups and 17 players to put together a 23-20 record. Natasha Howard led five players in double figures by scoring 17 on Sunday, Sept. 7. Aerial Powers added 15 points, Shey Peddy 13 and Kelsey Mitchell 10. Ailyah Boston had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Indiana’s seeding isn’t finalized. The Fever could move to sixth if they beat the No. 1-seeded Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday and the Golden State Valkyries lose their last two games. Indiana’s opponent is also up in the air as seeding on the top and bottom half of the league will be figured out in the final few games of the regular season, which wraps up Thursday, Sept. 11.