Caitlin Clark takes over as Fever head coach before letting emotions known about missing WNBA playoffs
Despite being injured, there is no shortage of Caitlin Clark at Indiana Fever games.
The 23-year-old phenom was once again active on the sidelines during the Fever's 83-72 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, just days after she revealed her season is over.
There wasn't much at stake for both sides during their clash as the Fever clinched their postseason position on September 7, and the Minnesota Lynx have already locked up the top seed.
Nevertheless, both sets of players duked it out in a thrilling game.
The Fever raced to a ten-nothing lead in the opening few minutes after Odyssey Sims' mid-range bucket.
With the Lynx under pressure, a timeout was clearly needed.
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But it was Clark who jumped out of her seat, as ESPN footage showed, preemptively calling a timeout herself as if she knew Fever head coach Stephanie White was also going to call one.
And indeed she did, as White followed Clark's lead and gathered her team to the sidelines.
Fans online loved Clark's behaviour, with the 23-year-old still playing an active role on the Fever despite not being available for the rest of the season.
"Caitlin Clark staying involved despite the injury. Love the energy on the sideline," one fan said on X.
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"Still engaged in the game. Great player," another wrote.
"Caitlin Clark calling a timeout for the Lynx is pure gold!" one fan said.
Caitlin Clark's head coach duties
You'd be forgiven for mistaking Clark as the Fever's head coach.
Along with calling timeouts, she was also captured giving speeches and devising plays during her team's breaks.
At one point, she was seen handing out instructions and lecturing her teammates amid a mini Lynx comeback, something which never materialized.
Those who have kept up with Clark will know her active role on the sidelines is nothing new.
Last season's WNBA Rookie of the Year has been seen berating officials from the bench on more than one occasion.
Clark posts heartfelt message on Instagram
But despite the intense role she may be enjoying off the court, Clark has made it clear she wants to be back on the court.
On Instagram, she posted a black-and-white photo of her celebrating a shot with a simple caption.
“I miss this so bad.” she wrote as she continues to battle an injury that has kept her out of action for two months.
Clark has struggled with injuries all season
Clark, whose on-court rival Angel Reese has also suffered injuries this season, has endured a doomed sophomore season from the beginning.
She picked up her first injury before preseason began, and was forced to sit out the Fever's first preseason game in May due to quad tightness.
Then, four games into the regular season, she suffered a left quad strain that saw her miss five games, but upon returning, she suffered a left groin sprain after five games
Clark returned on July 9 against the Golden State Valkyries, but less than a week later, on July 15, she injured her groin again, and ever since, the WNBA star has been out.
The Fever have clinched a playoff spot but will not know their final seeding or opponent until later in the week.
They could potentially move up to the No.6 seed depending on results elsewhere.
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The first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs will begin Sunday, September 14 with the seven-game WNBA Finals set to commence on Friday, October 3.
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