Caitlin Clark has admitted she feels a “responsibility” to play every game.
On the latest episode of Sue Bird’s podcast, the WNBA legend asked Clark how she manages expectations, knowing that while viewership and attendance are up overall in the league, there is a dip when she is out.
“I think that’s definitely been hard. I’m going to go to every road game no matter what, whether I’m playing or not,” Clark replied.
“It’s hard because obviously I do feel this responsibility of being out there and playing,” Clark said.
The 23-year-old has had a season ruined by injuries so far, playing in just 13 of the Fever’s 32 regular-season games this year.
Injuries also meant she missed the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game and the highly anticipated 3-point contest.
Clark also told Bird that while the league does not rely on her, she is fully aware that there are fans who spend their “time, money, and resources” to watch her play.
“You do want to play. You want to give people something to cheer about or scream about. … That’s why I’ve been trying to take as much time as I can,” Clark added.
“I sign autographs for way longer when I’m hurt than when I’m active. That’s never something I wish for, but I still want to make as much time as I can for people.”
The WNBA is enjoying a viewership surge
In July, viewership for the WNBA was reported to be up 21% compared to the full 2024 season.
And while the Indiana Fever are still the biggest draw, Clark’s absence is highlighted in the statistics.
Growth for Fever’s game is up only 7% vs. 2024 compared to a 37% increase overall for the rest of the league.
While Clark is expected to play again this season, the Fever are still strained when it comes to point guards.
The franchise is effectively in a crisis when it comes to that position, as Sydney Colson (ACL) and Aari McDonald (right foot) suffered recent season-ending injuries.
Who have Indiana Fever signed?
In response to having no available PGs, the Fever have signed Odyssey Sims to a hardship contract.
Simms is a traditional point guard and will provide much-needed stability in that position for the Fever.
The 32-year-old played in 12 games with the Los Angeles Sparks earlier this season but was waived after missing matches due to personal reasons.
Sims started 11 of those games, averaging 9.8 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 41.7% from the field and 35.3% from 3-point range.
She is also a 12-year veteran of the league and a former All-Star in 2019.
The Fever will hope she brings some experience to their team.
Amid the lack of point guards, Indiana had to use Kelsey Mitchell as the point guard against the Chicago Sky on Saturday, and the 29-year-old impressed.
Mitchell put up 26 points and eight assists in a 92-70 victory over the Sky.
It is expected that Sims will fill the point guard void until Clark returns as Fever (18-14) chase a postseason place