The Indiana Fever tipped off their 2025 WNBA preseason on Saturday, hosting the Washington Mystics in their first game.
Fans were eager to see reigning Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark back on the court, but they now have to wait a little longer.
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Clark was listed as questionable with a left leg injury and was ultimately ruled out after warm-ups. The Fever made the decision as a precaution, with another preseason matchup set for Sunday — a homecoming game for Clark at her alma mater, Iowa, against the Brazilian National Team.
Many of Indiana’s newest additions saw action in the Fever’s 79–74 overtime win, with former Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham leading the team with 21 points.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Unfortunately, there was tough news elsewhere involving a familiar face. Seattle Storm forward Katie Lou Samuelson, who played for the Fever last season, was confirmed Saturday to have torn her ACL in an injury suffered in practice on Thursday.
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“Love and support from your Storm family,” the Fever wrote. “We are with you, Lou!”
In 2024, Samuelson played alongside Clark, starting 15 games for the Fever and appearing in 37. The 6-foot-3 forward averaged 18.2 minutes, 4.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Samuelson was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2019 WNBA Draft out of UConn. She spent one season in Chicago, followed by stints with the Dallas Wings, Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, and Fever, before returning to the Storm this past offseason.
Samuelson and the Fever mutually agreed to a contract buyout in February.
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