Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is expected to return to the court on Wednesday, July 9 vs. the Golden State Valkyries, after missing the last five contests with a groin injury. Clark’s most recent absence came after she missed five games last month due to a left quadriceps strain.

Per ESPN: Clark participated in the 5-on-5 portion of practice on Monday for the first time since she suffered the injury on June 24. Fever coach Stephanie White said she anticipates Clark to be available, barring any setbacks over the next 24 hours.

Clark told reporters at practice on Tuesday: “It’s nice to get back out there and get back into the flow of playing with my teammates again. It’s going to be fun to get back out there hopefully and just feel things again. It’s obviously hard sitting out and watching for a few weeks, so I’m excited to get out there …I hope to play a decent amount — in the upper 20s. I guess it depends on how the game goes and how I feel and what the team needs. But I feel pretty good. But I’m going to try to not overdo it and put myself in a good position moving forward.”

After returning from her quad injury on June 14, Clark had 32 points in 31 minutes against the New York Liberty; however over the next four games, she averaged only 14 points per contest. This season, Clark is averaging 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.9 assists.

The Fever have gone 3-2 in Clark’s absence, which included a victory against the Minnesota Lynx in the championship game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. Five games remain until the All-Star break, with Clark set to serve as a team captain along with Napheesa Collier.

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