INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White returned to her home state to win a championship.

She knew that meant navigating a series of obstacles and, of course, a daunting schedule of top teams and great players. She figured with the Fever dubbed a preseason title contender, opponents would play their best against Indiana.

White never envisioned how off script things could go.

An injured right groin and subsequent bone bruise suffered while recovering have kept two-time All-Star guard Caitlin Clark out since July 15, and there's still no timetable for her return. Backup guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson had season-ending injuries in the same game, Aug. 7 at Phoenix. Then Sunday, guard Sophie Cunningham sustained a season-ending knee injury.

Still, with nine regular

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