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Why is Caitlin Clark not playing? What to know about Fever star's injury status for WNBA Playoffs

The Indiana Fever are further than they've been in the WNBA Playoffs in a decade.

And they're doing it without Caitlin Clark.

The Fever enter Tuesday night with a 1-0 lead in their semifinal series against the Las Vegas Aces. They won the series opener behind a barrage from Kelsey Mitchell, who finished with 34 points in a brilliant showing.

All Clark could do was cheer from the sideline.

And sadly, that won't be changing for the second-year superstar.

Why is Caitlin Clark not playing?

Caitlin Clark isn't playing in the playoffs for the Fever because she was been ruled out for the season due to injury.

She strained her right groin on July 15.

The Fever didn't rule her out for the season until Sept. 4, but she hadn't played in that span at all.

No matter how far the Fever advance, Clark will remain in her extra coach and cheerleader roles.

The Fever have had quite the injury-heavy season. Clark is often alongside Sophie Cunningham on the sideline after a knee injury ended Cunningham's season.

But the Indiana players on the floor are getting the job done even without their floor general.

Fever record without Caitlin Clark

This season, the Indiana Fever were 8-5 with Caitlin Clark on the floor.

They went 16-15 during the regular season with Clark absent.

In the postseason, they've now gone 3-1 without Clark entering Game 2 against the Aces.

That makes the current tally 8-5 with Caitlin and 19-16 without her. The win percentage still works out slightly in Clark's favor, even though she had a bumpy season as a shooter.