Caitlin Clark 's return from injury proved her absence made fans' hearts grow fonder. The WNBA superstar routinely draws big viewership numbers, but her comeback in the Indiana Fever's upset win over the New York Liberty topped the charts.

Two things can be true. Clark's absence will probably pull Indiana ratings down a bit until her return, and the WNBA will be absolutely fine as it stands until Clark gets healthy. There is too much compelling data across the entire league to surmise that the WNBA is a damp paper towel ready to collapse in on itself with no Clark.