In a major setback for the Indiana Fever and fans across the WNBA, Caitlin Clark, the league’s fastest-rising star, has been diagnosed with a left quadriceps strain and will be out for at least two weeks, the team announced on Monday. The injury marks the end of an astounding 183-game consecutive appearance streak dating back to her college days at Iowa.

Clark, who has already cemented herself as one of the most influential figures in women’s basketball, played through discomfort during Saturday’s narrow loss to the defending champion New York Liberty. Despite recording 18 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in that game, Clark also tied her career-high in turnovers with 10. It was later revealed that she reported pain in her left leg post-game, prompting the team to conduct an MRI that confirmed the strain.

The 23-year-old’s absence will be felt immediately as the Fever face a challenging four-game stretch without their floor general. Clark is expected to miss games against the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, and Chicago Sky, and she will be re-evaluated on June 9. Her absence also clouds the much-anticipated June 7 matchup against Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky, which was moved to Chicago’s 21,000-seat United Center and slotted for a prime-time CBS broadcast. That clash was projected to be one of the most-watched WNBA regular-season games ever — but Clark’s injury now casts doubt on that milestone.

Despite the disappointment, Fever head coach Stephanie White struck a hopeful tone, calling Clark’s recovery period an “opportunity for growth” for both player and team. “It’s about the long game,” White said. “Don’t over-push, don’t overexert. Make sure we’re not having lingering issues throughout the course of the season.”

Clark, who averaged 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds across the Fever’s first four games this season, had not missed a single game during her four-year collegiate career or her professional rookie season, which earned her Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the All-WNBA First Team.

Replacing her impact on the court will be a challenge. Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and DeWanna Bonner — all former All-Stars — are expected to shoulder more offensive responsibilities. Backup guards Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson are also set to rotate through ball-handling duties. Mitchell, who averaged 19.2 points last year, acknowledged the pressure. “I gotta be sharp in different areas… just being a little more vocal. Not really my thing, but I’ll sacrifice that for wins,” she said.

Mitchell also expressed strong support for her sidelined teammate. “Caitlin knows she has the ears and eyes of this locker room… I want the 100 percent Caitlin when she’s back.”

While Clark’s injury dims the spotlight temporarily, her remarkable start to the season and overwhelming fan impact remain unmatched. Even in her absence, Indiana arenas continue to swell with record-breaking crowds, many drawn by the charisma and skill of the record-setting former Iowa Hawkeye who is redefining what’s possible in the WNBA.