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The Fever were forced to get used to life without Caitlin Clark when the second-year star missed three weeks with a quad injury earlier in the season, and they find themselves back in the same scenario as the end of June nears.
Clark missed Thursday night's game against the Sparks due to a groin injury and is out for Friday's showdown with Paige Bueckers and the Wings, delaying one of the most anticipated head-to-head matchups of the season between the last two No. 1 overall picks.
Before sitting out, Clark was struggling mightily. She returned from her quad injury with an explosive 32-point game, but efficiency troubles leading up to her absence with a groin injury cost the Fever.
Here's what you need to know about Clark's injury and when she might return.
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How long is Caitlin Clark out?
On Sunday, June 29, Clark went through a full practice and gave an update on her status, saying, "I'm going to be day-to-day from here on out," adding that "I'm doing everything that I can to put myself in a position to play the next game."
Clark hasn't been ruled out for any extended period as she deals with a groin injury. The injury, which is believed to be separate from the quad injury that cost her three weeks of action, kept her off the court in back-to-back games for Indiana.
The Fever didn't rule Clark out on Friday until the afternoon, so there isn't any indication she is more than just day-to-day. Fever coach Stephanie White used the "day-to-day" label to describe Clark's status on Thursday, adding that the 23-year-old underwent an MRI.
After Friday's contest, the Fever will have three full days off before picking up with a game against the WNBA-leading Lynx in Minnesota on Tuesday.
MORE: Why Fever waived DeWanna Bonner
What is Caitlin Clark's injury?
Clark was ruled out of games on Thursday and Friday with a groin injury. The extent of the injury is unknown.
When Clark was ruled out Thursday, there was some hope the Fever were just giving her an extra day to rest during a span of three games in four days. The decision to sit Clark on Friday as well raised more concern about the injury,
The Fever have lost three of their last four games, including two with Clark on the floor. She averaged only 12 points per game over her last three contests before the injury, shooting 27.7 percent from the field and a dismal 1-of-23 from 3-point range. Whether the injury was affecting her is unclear, but the Fever are playing it safe with their star at the very least with so much of the season still ahead.
MORE: How Valkyries' Veronica Burton is making history
Indiana Fever schedule
Here is Indiana's schedule before the All-Star break in July:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| July 1 | at Lynx* | 8 p.m. |
| July 3 | vs. Aces | 7 p.m. |
| July 5 | vs. Sparks | 7 p.m. |
| July 9 | vs. Valkyries | 12 p.m. |
| July 11 | vs. Dream | 7:30 p.m. |
| July 13 | vs. Wings | 1 p.m. |
| July 15 | at Sun | 8 p.m. |
| July 16 | vs. Liberty | 7:30 p.m. |
*Commissioner's Cup Championship
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