Collier vs Clark 👀
But the injury does make the MVP chase tougher on Clark.
Contrary to popular belief, there are other WNBA teams besides the Indiana Fever. But the Caitlin Clark WNBA stories get the most attention because she is the most popular player, and it is a big deal when the league’s MVP favorite goes out with an injury that is going to cost her games.
It’s a quad injury for Clark that will reportedly keep her out for at least two weeks, according to WNBA rumors, which could mean she misses the next five or six games, including most of the Commissioner’s Cup Games (the WNBA equivalent to the NBA’s in-season tournament) in June.
Caitlin Clark has suffered a left quadriceps strain and will be out a minimum of two weeks.
Learn more: https://t.co/7IcMx3jiDw pic.twitter.com/EYWXyU3vW4
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 26, 2025
This injury has changed the WNBA MVP odds, where Clark was a slight favorite in a close race with Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier, the new betting favorite for the WNBA MVP. Napheesa Collier’s stats are off to a great start with 29.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as the Lynx have started 5-0.
While the injury isn’t coming at a good time, it’s possible this could actually help Clark’s chances to win MVP, and it makes her a better value at longer odds than where she was before the injury.
Caitlin Clark’s WNBA MVP Case
Clark was naturally going to be an MVP favorite this season after the way she finished strong as the Rookie of the Year. She set numerous league records for assists and 3-point shots, and she’s already tracking to be the most prolific WNBA player ever for both of those statistics:
Some of the records Caitlin Clark has that have nothing to do with being a rookie.https://t.co/x76KHVM8jH pic.twitter.com/vKyrHMIsfY
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) September 10, 2024
Caitlin Clark has the most assists (374) thru 50 games in WNBA history.
She’s played in 44 games. pic.twitter.com/eG0nWhD8gE
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) May 26, 2025
Just 44 games into her career, Caitlin Clark’s stats also include the WNBA career record for most games with 25 points and 10 assists, doing it six times. Her triple-double to start this season was already the third of her career, and that kind of all-around impact is why she’s an MVP favorite.
But the Fever are also 2-2 with a pair of tough losses, including a 2-point loss to the Liberty where Clark’s 10th turnover in the closing seconds was the final nail in the coffin.
The injury comes at a bad time as Clark’s Fever are scheduled to play some of the worst teams in the WNBA right now like the Mystics (twice), Sun, and Sky—teams that Clark could post big stats and wins against.
However, this could also play out to her advantage. If the Fever struggle in these games they should win without her, then it makes her look more valuable as long as she returns in June and plays at a high level. Also, the WNBA season is longer than ever at 44 games this year, so missing a small number of games shouldn’t exclude her from MVP consideration.
FOUR GAMES into the WNBA season and Caitlin Clark has a 48% chance to win MVP on @PolymarketSport in just her SECOND YEAR 🏆 👀 pic.twitter.com/4vDVBP00hK
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) May 26, 2025
It’s worth pointing out that the Fever and Lynx will meet three times late in the season, including the season finale in Indiana. So, if this remains a two-player race between Clark and Collier, those games are likely to be far more decisive than anything happening in May and early June.
But the injury does make the MVP chase tougher on Clark. The Lynx are a well-coached team who reached the Finals last year, and Collier was MVP runner-up and Defensive Player of the Year. She’s a very legitimate MVP candidate.
But Clark will continue to be a leading story this season.
