Caitlin

Clark

After averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in four games while filling in for the injured for the season Sydney Colson (left knee), Aari McDonald (right foot), and rehabbing star Caitlin Clark (right groin and left ankle), the Fever signed Sims to a third 7-day contract. This is the final 7-day contract she can sign before she’s eligible for a rest-of-season contract.

Already sidelined since just before the All-Star break by a strained right groin, Clark reportedly suffered a bone bruise in her left ankle during an individual workout earlier in August. According to the Fever, the latest injury has not impacted the guard’s return timeline, with the team hoping to get Clark back by the end of the regular season. In addition to its star being sidelined, the Fever have also lost Sydney Colson (knee), Aari McDonald (foot) and Sophie Cunningham (ankle) to season-ending injuries. Indiana recently signed veteran guard Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract, and Odyssey Sims is also on the roster to help deal with the injuries.

Clark will miss her 13th straight game on Sunday as she continues to work her way back from a groin injury suffered against the Sun on July 15. The Fever started the stretch of games without Clark going 5-2, but have suffered additional injuries at the point guard position since then and dropped four of their last five games. Kelsey Mitchell had functioned as the team’s point guard in recent games, but with Odyssey Sims making her first start on Sunday, she should relieve Mitchell of some of the playmaking duties while Indiana waits for Clark’s return to the court.

Fever head coach Stephanie White’s decision to change the starting lineup puts a legitimate point guard on the floor to begin Sunday’s game. Sims, who has been signed to a second 7-day hardship contract as the team awaits Caitlin Clark’s return, accounted for 11 points, two rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in Friday’s loss to the Mystics. Her move into the starting lineup pushes Lexie Hull into a reserve role, but she should still play plenty.

Tuesday night was a difficult evening for Boston who scored in double figures, but struggled defensively and was limited as a playmaker, something that the Fever desperately need being down all three of their point guards in Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson. Three of Boston’s five made field goals were on offensive rebounds. She cleaned up two of her own shots in addition to a miss from Natasha Howard. While Boston struggled defending Li Yueru on post-ups, she was able to defend the Wings’ front court well on drives to the basket. She picked up two blocks with one coming against Li and another on a shot from German center Luisa Geiselsöder.

Clark has missed time on three separate occasions this season due to lower-body injuries, most recently suffering a strained right groin during a July 15 game against the Sun. While the All-Star guard remains without a return timeline, she has been able to do some running and participate in some individual workouts. With the Fever losing Aari McDonald (foot) and Sydney Colson (knee) to season-ending injuries during an August 7 loss to the Mercury, Kelsey Mitchell served as the starting point guard for the team’s August 9 win over Chicago, and Lexie Hull moved into the starting five. At least two of Mitchell, Hull and Sophie Cunningham were on the court at all times, and that should continue for the foreseeable future. On Sunday, the Fever added backcourt depth with the signing of Odyssey Sims to a seven-day contract.

Already playing without Caitlin Clark, the Fever lost guards Sydney Colson (knee) and Aari McDonald (foot) to season-ending injuries during Thursday’s loss to the Mercury. Per WNBA rules, Indiana had to wait until after Saturday’s win over the Sky to sign a guard to a hardship contract. On Sunday, the team announced that it had signed Sims. The veteran guard began this season as a starter with the Sparks before leaving the team for personal reasons in June. Waived on July 2, Sims has played 11 seasons in the WNBA, averaging 11.2 points and 3.8 assists per game. She’ll figure prominently in the Fever rotation until Clark returns from her strained groin.

Much like the rest of the team, Mitchell bounced back on Saturday from an unspectacular performance in the prior game against the Mercury. The all-star guard was her usual productive self as a scorer, utilizing the three-point shot to her advantage. But the most noteworthy takeaway from Mitchell’s night was her playmaking — she tallied a season-high in assists in the team’s first game without either of its three usual point guard options. While it would be unfair to expect her to set a new season-high in assists game night moving forward, it is realistic for fantasy managers to anticipate an uptick in assist numbers while Caitlin Clark (groin) remains sidelined. Mitchell will look to secure another strong outing on Tuesday against the Wings.

The injury-hit Fever have undergone another starting lineup change, this time with Hull replacing the injured Aari McDonald. McDonald suffered a season-ending ankle injury against the Mercury on Thursday, and Sydney Colson (knee) was also lost for the season in Thursday’s contest. Including Caitlin Clark’s absence (groin), the Fever are without a natural starting point guard for Saturday’s game against the Sky and will likely rely on Kelsey Mitchell to be the main initiator on offense as they look to avoid a third straight loss.