The Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky are set to face off for the fourth time this season on Saturday, but the highly anticipated rivalry will be missing its main attractions. Both Indiana’s second-year phenom Caitlin Clark and Chicago’s star forward Angel Reese will be sidelined with injuries, shifting the focus to the supporting casts of two teams heading in opposite directions. The game is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The absence of the two stars is the dominant storyline for a matchup that has captivated the league. Caitlin Clark, who had a historic rookie season, has been plagued by injuries in her sophomore campaign. She is out indefinitely with a right groin injury sustained on July 15. According to a report from the Des Moines Register, it marks the fourth separate muscle injury for Clark in 2025, a stark contrast to a durable college and rookie career where she never missed a game. There is currently no timetable for her return. The Fever’s backcourt depth has been further tested by recent season-ending injuries to guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald.
For the Chicago Sky, Angel Reese has been sidelined since July 29 with a back injury. While the team considers her day-to-day, coach Tyler Marsh indicated her absence is a precautionary measure after her back tightened up. Reese, who leads the Sky in points, rebounds, and assists, has been a bright spot in a difficult season for Chicago.
The two teams enter Saturday’s contest on vastly different trajectories. The Indiana Fever, holding a 17-14 record, are fifth in the WNBA standings and firmly in the playoff picture. Despite losing their last two games, they recently enjoyed a five-game winning streak, demonstrating their ability to compete even without Clark. The Chicago Sky, meanwhile, have struggled to a record of 8-22. They sit 11th in the league standings, effectively out of the playoff race. Their most recent game was a lopsided 86-65 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Thursday.
Indiana has dominated the series this season, holding a 3-0 record against Chicago. The Fever have won each matchup convincingly: 93-58 on May 17, 79-52 on June 7, and most recently, 93-78 on July 27. The July 27 game provides a potential preview for Saturday’s contest, as both Clark and Reese were also absent in that matchup. In their absence, other players stepped into the spotlight. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell erupted for a season-high 35 points, draining seven three-pointers, as detailed by ESPN. Aliyah Boston was a force inside, posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. For the Sky, Rachel Banham led the charge with 26 points, including six three-pointers.
With the stars out, look for players like Mitchell and Boston to once again carry the offensive load for Indiana. The Fever are heavily favored, with oddsmakers setting the line at -12. For the Fever, this game is an opportunity to snap their two-game skid and strengthen their playoff positioning. For the Sky, it is a chance to play for pride and allow other players to gain valuable experience against a quality opponent. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS and can be streamed on Paramount+.
