The Indiana Fever have been navigating a challenging stretch of the 2025 WNBA season without their brightest star, Caitlin Clark, who has been sidelined since mid-July with a right groin injury. While the team has managed to stay competitive, fans and analysts alike have eagerly tracked every update on Clark’s recovery, wondering when the rookie sensation might finally step back onto the hardwood.
Now, a recent roster move by the Fever has sparked fresh speculation that her long-awaited return could be right around the corner. On Monday afternoon, Indiana announced the release of guard Kyra Lambert, who had only been signed to a seven-day hardship contract last Thursday. The decision comes at an interesting time, just as Fever fans await the MRI results of another key guard, Sophie Cunningham, who went down with a right knee injury in Sunday’s overtime win against the Connecticut Sun.
Clark’s Injury Timeline
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and one of the most hyped prospects in league history, has been out of action since July 15. The injury not only forced her to miss 13 consecutive games but also sidelined her during the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend — a showcase many had expected her to headline.
The groin injury was described early on as “significant,” and the Fever have been extremely cautious in handling Clark’s rehabilitation. Given her importance to both the franchise’s long-term vision and the immediate fan excitement she generates, the organization has avoided rushing her back onto the floor.
Still, Clark has been steadily ramping up her activity in recent weeks, with reports noting she has returned to light on-court work and conditioning drills. The Fever’s latest roster decision may be the strongest indicator yet that her return is imminent.
The Significance of Kyra Lambert’s Release
Lambert, a former Duke standout, signed with Indiana last week under a hardship contract, a temporary roster addition made possible when a team falls below 10 available players due to injuries. Her time with the Fever was brief — she logged just four seconds of playing time at the very end of Sunday’s game against the Sun.
With Cunningham’s status still up in the air pending MRI results, the Fever’s choice to release Lambert rather than extend her contract suggests they believe reinforcements are already on the way. That reinforcement could very well be Caitlin Clark.
Had Indiana expected to be down multiple guards for a prolonged stretch, keeping Lambert as depth would have been the logical move. Instead, moving on so quickly hints that the roster will soon stabilize, and Clark’s name is the obvious one to circle.
What Clark’s Return Would Mean
For Indiana, getting Clark back on the court would be nothing short of a game-changer. Before her injury, she was averaging 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 6 rebounds per game, quickly cementing herself not only as the face of the Fever but also as one of the WNBA’s rising stars. Her playmaking, court vision, and scoring ability bring a dynamic edge that Indiana has sorely missed during her absence.
Off the court, her presence fuels ticket sales, TV ratings, and national buzz around the Fever. Her return would reinvigorate a fan base that has anxiously followed her recovery and boost Indiana’s push for a playoff spot in a competitive Eastern Conference.
The Road Ahead
Of course, until the Fever officially announce Clark’s return, everything remains speculation. Much depends on how she responds to ramped-up activity in practices and whether the team’s medical staff clears her for full competition. Still, the timing of the Lambert release and the whispers of Clark’s progress make it hard not to connect the dots.
For now, Fever fans will continue to refresh injury updates and wait for the announcement they’ve been hoping for. If the roster move is any indication, Caitlin Clark’s much-anticipated return to action may be closer than ever — and it couldn’t come at a more pivotal point in Indiana’s season.