Caitlyn Clark and the Indiana Fever are facing a critical challenge as they head toward the WNBA playoffs, with forward Tami Bennel potentially sidelined due to a right shoulder injury. While no official timeline has been provided, Bennel’s status for the upcoming game against the LA Sparks is questionable. This is her third injury of the season, further limiting her availability for a team that has been building significant momentum post-Olympic break.

Despite appearing in just 16 games this season, Bennel has been a valuable contributor off the bench, averaging 6.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 19 minutes per game. Her injury comes at a crucial moment for Indiana, which is pushing for its first playoff appearance since 2016 and has gone 6-1 after the Olympic break. The Fever are currently holding onto the sixth seed and face a critical stretch of six home games before ending the regular season.

Bennel has expressed her admiration for Clark, despite their limited time on the court together due to her injury setbacks. She praised Clark’s leadership and playmaking ability, noting how her passing instincts have helped improve the team’s competitiveness. Clark’s impact on the Fever has been instrumental in their playoff push, and Bennel’s absence could create additional challenges in maintaining their momentum as they approach the postseason.