Fever give big positive update on returns of Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham

After spending the last three weeks largely just trying to get by, the Fever are set to look much closer to whole again on Saturday.

Both Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham took part in practice on Friday and head coach Stephanie White said, barring any late setbacks, she expects both to suit up against the Liberty.

“I felt like today was better than yesterday in terms of just movement and balance and feeling like she’s getting back into rhythm, timing, all of those things,” White said of Clark. “As long as we don’t have any regression, she’s going to be ready to roll.”

Ironically, Clark’s last game was against the Liberty on May 24. During that game, she suffered a quad injury that has forced her to miss the last five games for the Fever. During that span, Indiana has gone 2-3.

Cunningham, meanwhile, was injured two games later against the Sun when she reaggravated an ankle injury she had suffered during the preseason. She has missed the last three games, but is also set for a return on Saturday.

“I think she’s going to be ready to roll as well,” White said. “Sophie looked really good. Her timing was good. Getting back into game rhythm and timing is the most important thing and then being able to change directions. I thought she looked good. She’s had really good workouts throughout the course of the week and then it’s just been reintegrating into live action. They both look good.”

With both Clark and Cunningham returning, that meant the end of Aari McDonald’s time in Indiana. Signed on an emergency hardship contract, McDonald played three games for Indiana, averaging 11 points per game. Once Indiana moved back to having 10 players available, though, McDonald had to be waived, which the team officially did on Friday.

“She’s going to find a spot,” White said. “I don’t think that’s a debate right now. She’s been the ultimate pro. She came in ready to go...She’s a dog and we’re going to miss her certainly. What she brought to the table for us and being able to come in at the point guard position and just really impact us right away was huge. But, yeah, she’s not going to have a problem finding a job.”

Indiana won’t be fully whole on Saturday despite the returns of Clark and Cunningham. DeWanna Bonner was absent from practice on Friday as she was out due to personal reasons.

“I think she’s doing as well as she can be,” White said. “We’re going to continue to support her and give her the time that she needs. I don’t anticipate her being here tomorrow [against the Liberty]. With her, right now, it’s supporting her and giving her what she needs and taking it one day at a time.”

The Fever still have an outside shot at making the final of the Commissioner’s Cup. To do so, however, they’ll need to hand the Liberty their first loss of the season. New York is currently 9-0 on the year with an average margin of victory of 19 points.

When the two teams last met, the Fever came as close as any team has to knocking them off, falling 90-88.