So, you’re looking at the schedule and realizing there’s no Caitlin Clark game tonight. Honestly, it feels weird. For the last couple of years, it seemed like you couldn't turn on a TV without seeing No. 22 pulling up from the logo. But if you’re wondering why the hardwood is empty today, the answer is actually pretty simple, even if it’s a bit of a bummer for fans.
The reality is that right now, in mid-January 2026, the WNBA is in its official offseason. There are no Indiana Fever games scheduled because the league won't tip off its regular season until May.
But for Caitlin, it’s a bit deeper than just "taking a vacation." After a 2025 season that was basically a nightmare of injuries—something she never had to deal with back at Iowa—she is currently in a massive rebuilding phase for her body.
The 2025 Injury Hangover
If you followed the Fever last year, you know it was rough. Caitlin only managed to play 13 games. Think about that for a second. This is a woman who literally never missed a game in her entire collegiate career. Suddenly, she was hit with a cascade of issues: a left quad strain, a bone bruise in her ankle, and the big one—a right groin injury that eventually shut her down in July.
She tried to come back. She was doing drills and shooting around by September, but the team finally pulled the plug. Indiana Fever GM Amber Cox made it clear: they weren't going to risk her long-term career for a few late-season games.
So, why is Caitlin Clark not playing today? Because she’s following a strict rehabilitation protocol to ensure that when May 2026 rolls around, those "logo threes" come with a 100% healthy set of legs.
Why She Isn’t in the Unrivaled League
A lot of people expected to see her in the new Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, which is actually playing games right now in Miami. If you flip on TNT or HBO Max, you’ll see stars like Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, and Arike Ogunbowale. But Caitlin’s name is noticeably absent from the roster.
She turned down the invite. Simple as that.
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Even with the massive hype and the likely massive paycheck Unrivaled offered, she chose rest. After the "supercharged" schedule of 2024 and the physical breakdown of 2025, her team decided that jumping into a high-intensity 3-on-3 tournament in January was a bad idea. It’s about longevity now.
What She’s Actually Doing Right Now
Just because she isn’t on your TV doesn't mean she’s sitting on the couch eating chips. Caitlin was recently spotted at the USA Basketball Senior National Team training camp in Durham. This is a huge deal.
Managing Director Sue Bird and Coach Kara Lawson are watching her closely. They’re looking toward the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Germany this September. Caitlin has been very vocal about wanting to be on that roster, especially after the drama of being left off the Paris 2024 Olympic team.
Basically, her "workday" right now consists of:
- High-level physical therapy to strengthen that right groin area.
- Weight room sessions to add the pro-level strength needed to take WNBA contact.
- Closed-door shooting sessions to get her rhythm back after shooting just 1-for-23 from deep in her final 2025 stretch.
The WNBA CBA Drama
There’s also some behind-the-scenes "business" stuff going on. The WNBA and the players' union are in the middle of a massive standoff over the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). While this doesn't technically stop her from playing, it adds a layer of uncertainty to the whole league. There's talk about revenue sharing and salary bumps for stars on rookie contracts—like Caitlin and Paige Bueckers—that could change the league's face by the time she takes the court again.
When Will She Be Back?
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Or right around then—the official league schedule usually drops soon). That’s when the Indiana Fever will likely start their 2026 campaign at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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Until then, the best way to keep up is to watch for those training camp leaks or her occasional social media updates. She’s focused on being the 2024 Rookie of the Year version of herself again, not the sidelined version we saw last summer.
What you can do next:
Keep an eye on the official WNBA schedule release usually expected in the coming weeks. If you’re itching for live basketball, check out the Unrivaled 3-on-3 games on TNT tonight—even without Clark, the talent level is insane and it'll give you a fix until the Fever return to action.