Caitlin Clark's health status: The Vital one continues to be sidelined for the significant matchup against Valkyries this Sunday due to her ongoing fever issues.

The Indiana Fever are gearing up for a crucial game against the Golden State Valkyries, with postseason implications on the line. However, the team is facing a significant absence, as star player Caitlin Clark is sidelined due to a right groin injury.

Clark, in her sophomore season with the Fever, has been plagued by multiple injuries this year, including a left quad strain, left groin injury, and now a right groin injury. This latest setback has forced her to miss her 18th consecutive game.

Despite the extended absence, Fever coach Stephanie White remains hopeful that Clark will return before the end of the regular season. She stated, "The hope is for Clark to return before the end of the regular season."

Clark's shooting percentages for the season are 36.7% from the field and 27.9% from behind the arc. Her struggle to find form this season, marked by a lengthy shooting slump, has been a topic of discussion. In her last seven appearances, Clark is 7 of 49 from 3-point range, failing to make a 3-pointer in three separate games.

The Fever are currently in sixth place, half a game ahead of the eighth-place Valkyries, and three games up on the ninth-place Sparks. However, the team's success this season has been partly due to Clark's impressive statistics. She is still averaging 16.5 points, five rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game, which ranks second in the league.

The Fever are also without several key players for the remainder of the season. Sydney Colson is out with a torn ACL, Aari McDonald is sidelined with a broken foot, and Sophie Cunningham is out with a torn MCL.

White has made it clear that she wants to see Clark in practice, able to handle contact, and sustain effort without regression before clearing her to play. Clark has started participating in non-contact drills but has not yet returned to practice.

It remains unclear if Clark will be cleared to play before the regular season ends on Sept. 11. The Fever have four games remaining after their match against the Golden State Valkyries, and every game counts as they fight for a playoff spot.

Clark's absence has undoubtedly affected the Fever's performance, as the team is 13-13 without her compared to their 8-5 record with her in the lineup. The team will need to rally together and find ways to compensate for her absence if they want to secure a spot in the playoffs.

The Fever and the Valkyries are set to face off on [insert date and time here]. The outcome of this game could have a significant impact on both teams' playoff chances.

Caitlin Clark's health status: The Vital one continues to be sidelined for the significant matchup against Valkyries this Sunday due to her ongoing fever issues.