Before the start of the 2025 WNBA season, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was already making waves in the basketball world. Fresh off a record-breaking rookie campaign, Clark was listed among the top betting favorites to win the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The excitement wasn’t just hype—her early-season performances showed why so many fans and analysts were confident she could take home the trophy.

Through her first four games of the season, Clark averaged an impressive 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 6 rebounds per game. Those numbers weren’t just solid—they placed her among the top all-around performers in the league. Her ability to create plays for her teammates while scoring efficiently highlighted her evolution from an outstanding rookie to a potential superstar in just her second year.

Unfortunately, her momentum was briefly halted by a quadriceps injury that sidelined her for a stretch. The timing was frustrating, as Clark had just started hitting her stride. But the former Iowa Hawkeye wasn’t going to let an injury derail her campaign for long. When she returned in mid-June, she reminded everyone why she had been considered an MVP frontrunner in the first place.

Clark’s comeback game was nothing short of spectacular. Against the powerhouse New York Liberty, she dropped 32 points, showcasing her signature deep three-point shooting and fearless drives to the basket. The performance silenced any doubts about whether she could quickly return to form after her absence. Just days later, she followed it up with another stellar outing—20 points against the Connecticut Sun, proving her consistency and resilience.

However, as promising as those performances were, injuries continued to plague her season. Since her return, Clark has been able to suit up for just seven additional games out of Indiana’s 23 total contests. That limited availability has unfortunately all but ended her realistic shot at the MVP crown this year. Availability is often the most underrated part of an MVP campaign, and in a league as competitive as the WNBA, missing significant time makes it nearly impossible to remain in the conversation.

But while Clark’s absence has been felt, the Fever have not completely faltered. In fact, one of her teammates has risen to the occasion in remarkable fashion, stepping into the scoring void and keeping Indiana competitive in Clark’s absence. That player has not only filled the gap left behind but has also put herself directly into the MVP race.

For Clark, though, her bold declaration after the Fever’s recent game against the Sun shows that she’s not backing down from her ambitions. She acknowledged that while injuries have slowed her, she still believes in her ability to be one of the best players in the league and eventually capture the MVP title. That confidence is part of what has made Clark such a generational talent—she doesn’t shy away from lofty goals, and she has the game to back it up.

Looking at the bigger picture, Clark’s season might not end with MVP honors, but her trajectory is impossible to ignore. At just 23 years old, she’s already a Rookie of the Year, a statistical leader for her team, and one of the most marketable stars in professional basketball. Even if the MVP slips away in 2025, it feels less like a missed opportunity and more like a delayed inevitability.

The Fever may ultimately benefit from this shift in focus. With another star emerging in Clark’s absence, Indiana is building a deeper, more balanced roster. When Clark is healthy and paired alongside another MVP-caliber teammate, the Fever could quickly transform from a rebuilding franchise into a perennial contender.

For now, Caitlin Clark’s MVP dreams may have to wait. But based on her talent, determination, and the flashes she’s already shown, it’s only a matter of time before her bold declaration becomes reality.