Caitlin Clark's return to the Indiana Fever after missing five games due to a groin injury has sparked concerns, particularly after a lackluster performance against the Golden State Valkyries. In the same vein, A'ja Wilson's recent wrist injury has cast a shadow over the Las Vegas Aces' season.

Clark, who had been sidelined with a left groin injury since June 26, participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage during practice, marking her first such activity since the injury. Despite high expectations and a sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Clark struggled in her return, scoring just 10 points while shooting poorly from the field. She played 25 minutes, contributing five rebounds and six assists, but also had four turnovers in the 80-61 loss. The Fever's offense as a whole struggled, shooting a season-low 31% from the field.

Clark acknowledged the difficulty of being sidelined, especially after a previous quad injury that also forced her to miss five games. She expressed her eagerness to get back into the flow of playing with her teammates but admitted to experiencing doubts during her rehab. Fever coach Stephanie White had planned to limit Clark's minutes to short bursts to monitor her response to the injury. The team's overall performance in Clark's return has raised questions about the adjustments needed to integrate her back into the lineup effectively.

Adding to the worries, the Las Vegas Aces are facing their own challenges with A'ja Wilson's right wrist injury. Wilson, a three-time WNBA MVP, suffered the injury during Tuesday's game against the New York Liberty after an awkward fall. She landed hard on her wrist while driving for a layup and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Before exiting, Wilson had two points, four rebounds, and two assists in 14 minutes.

Aces coach Becky Hammon stated that Wilson would undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. Hammon acknowledged Wilson's importance to the team, noting that she "changes the whole dynamic on both ends of the floor". Wilson's absence would be a significant blow to the Aces, who are currently 9-10 and facing a tough season. The team went 2-1 in the three games Wilson missed earlier in the season due to concussion protocol.

The Aces ultimately lost to the Liberty 87-78, further complicating their playoff aspirations. With Wilson's status uncertain, the Aces will need to find ways to compensate for her absence, as she has been averaging 21.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game this season. Her potential absence also casts doubt on her participation in the upcoming All-Star game.