As the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever host Game 3 of the best-of-five WNBA semifinals series against No. 2 seed Las Vegas on Friday, the question many have pondered is whether Caitlin Clark is eligible to play in the postseason this year, if she is deemed healthy.
Although it may appear as if she has recovered from her right groin injury, as evidenced by numerous videos that have been circulating on social media recently showing her practicing her shot during team shootarounds, the WNBA Playoffs roster regulations are the ultimate roadblock guarding against a potential return to play by the former Hawkeye legend.
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Due to the Fever announcing her season-ending injury designation from the right groin ailment on Sept. 4 and subsequently leaving her off the active roster entering the postseason, the 2024 Rookie of the Year cannot play in the 2025 playoffs, even if she somehow clears medical assessments.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 23: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on from the bench in the third quarter of Game Two of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The same scenario exists for the four other Indiana stars with season-ending injuries, which include Sophie Cunningham (torn MCL), Sydney Colson (torn ACL), Aari McDonald (broken bone in foot), and Chloe Bibby (knee inflammation/discomfort).
As a result of the handful of injuries, the Fever were left with 11 players on the active roster, four of whom are signed with hardship waivers: Odyssey Sims, Aerial Powers, Shey Peddy, and Bree Hall.
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Throughout the postseason and on Friday night, Indiana has operated with just 10 available players due to Damiris Dantas entering the concussion protocol prior to the first-round series opener against Atlanta. Should the Fever advance further in the playoffs and the Brazilian forward be cleared from her symptoms, Dantas would be eligible to return as she was listed on the Fever’s active playoff roster.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Is Caitlin Clark able to play in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs for the Fever?
