"Major problem is about resolved": WNBA analyst spots "silver lining" as Caitlin Clark suffers injury blow amid recovery  

Caitlin Clark's fluctuating injury status has been a source of frustration for her and the Indiana Fever fanbase. Just as it seemed like the superstar guard was inching close to a return after the Fever listed her as a game-time decision for the Aug. 12 game against the Dallas Wings, Clark suffered another setback.

While recovering from a right groin injury, she sustained a right ankle bone bruise on Aug. 7 during a workout in Phoenix. However, WNBA analyst Robin Lundberg spotted a silver lining amid Clark's injury woes.

"It’s pretty clear Caitlin Clark was nearing a return from the groin injury when the ankle issue happened, stalling things," he tweeted. "The silver lining being that the more major problem is about resolved."

Robin Lundberg

@robinlundberg

It’s pretty clear Caitlin Clark was nearing a return from the groin injury when the ankle issue happened, stalling things. The silver lining being that the more major problem is about resolved.

Whether Clark returns this season remains to be seen. The Indiana Fever have nine games left in the regular season. With a 19-16 record, they are sixth in the standings, two games ahead of the LA Sparks, who are ninth and contending for one of the two final playoff spots alongside the Fever, Golden State Valkyries and Seattle Storm.

The Valkyries are seventh and the Storm eighth ahead of Thursday's games.

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Sophie Cunningham explains why Caitlin Clark's return has been delayed

The Indiana Fever made it a point to give Caitlin Clark as much time as needed to recover from her right groin injury. Her right ankle bone bruise is her fourth injury this season after she initially suffered a left quad issue, followed by a left groin ailment.

Clark would have returned by now, as per teammate Sophie Cunningham. However, the WNBA's demands have played a key role in her staying sidelined.

"Yeah, she’s close, but like you also have to remember, like she could be playing if it wasn’t in the WNBA by now," Cunningham said on her "Show Me Something" podcast on Tuesday. "At this level, with how deep and like how good people are nowadays in our league, which is the best it’s ever been.

"You can’t just be good. You have to be on top of your game. And so, just trying to get her back in game shape, I think, is what they’re trying to do."

Caitlin Clark arguably faces some of the toughest defensive coverages for a perimeter player in the WNBA. Because of her dynamic ability to shoot, score and make plays, she often draws double and triple teams.