New York City — It was supposed to be a short, quiet escape. A two-day family trip to New York City during a rare break in the WNBA schedule. For Caitlin Clark, the league’s most electric rookie and a beacon of hope for the Indiana Fever, it was a moment to breathe.

But nature had other plans.

As torrential rains pounded the five boroughs Thursday night, Queens turned into a water-logged maze. Streets disappeared. Subways stalled. And amidst the chaos, one of the most watched athletes in America found herself — and her family — trapped.

🚨 “We were walking back from dinner and the sidewalk literally disappeared,” Clark’s older brother, Blake, told local news in a shaky video recorded outside their hotel. “Cars were floating. There were people on top of taxis. It didn’t feel real.”

What’s very real now is the question gripping WNBA fans nationwide:

Will Caitlin Clark make it back in time for the Fever’s high-stakes showdown with the Las Vegas Aces this Sunday?

“WE ARE SAFE… BUT IT’S SCARY.”

Late Thursday evening, Clark posted a brief update to her Instagram story: a dimly lit photo of her hotel window, raindrops streaking down the glass, with a caption that read:

“We are safe… but it’s scary out here. Never seen anything like this.”

Within minutes, #PrayForCaitlin was trending on X (formerly Twitter), and speculation exploded.

Some fans, alarmed by the severe images coming from NYC, demanded answers from the league: Would the game be postponed? Would the Fever charter a helicopter? Was Clark even okay?

Sources close to the Fever confirmed that no flights were available Thursday night or Friday morning. LaGuardia and JFK airports were essentially shut down, and even road travel was nearly impossible with reports of cars submerged under 3-5 feet of water.

THE SILENT RACE TO SAVE THE SEASON

Behind the scenes, it appears the Indiana Fever weren’t taking any chances.

At 5 a.m. Friday, according to a report by WNBA insider Shams Charter, the team had already contacted private air services, exploring the possibility of a last-minute airlift or chartered flight out of New Jersey — assuming they could even get Clark across the bridge.

“If she’s not on that court Sunday, it’s more than a PR nightmare — it’s a playoff-altering disaster,” one anonymous league exec told SportsWire.

Caitlin Clark is not just a star; she’s the face of the 2025 WNBA season. Her recent performances — including a 35-point triple-double last week — have sparked a surge in ticket sales, TV ratings, and merchandise across the league.

Missing Sunday’s game would be monumental.

THE FEVER FACTOR

The Indiana Fever have been on a historic run, and much of that is due to Clark’s leadership, vision, and scoring ability. Sunday’s game against the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces, is not just another game — it’s a defining moment in their playoff campaign.

Clark herself called it “the most important matchup of our season so far” during a post-game interview last week.

Now, the Fever are left to strategize for two realities: one where their star player walks onto the court at tip-off… and one where they’re forced to go to battle without her.

“We’re preparing either way,” said Fever coach Christie Sides in a terse Friday press conference. “But of course, we want Caitlin back. She’s our engine.”

A CITY UNDERWATER, A NATION ON EDGE

While the sports world focuses on Clark, New York City continues to reel from what meteorologists are calling a “once-in-a-generation flood event.”

Dozens have been evacuated. Power outages have hit Queens and Brooklyn. And the National Weather Service has issued further flash flood warnings into the weekend.

Still, locals were shocked to spot Caitlin Clark at a local coffee shop in Queens Friday morning, wearing a hoodie and baseball cap. A barista there said she looked “calm but definitely shaken.”

“She told me, ‘This trip went sideways real fast,’” the worker recounted. “She was kind, but you could tell she had somewhere to be.”

“I’LL BE THERE.”

By Friday afternoon, Clark posted again — this time on X.

“It’s been a wild 24 hours, but we’re safe and doing everything we can to get back. Appreciate the love. I’ll be there Sunday. 💪🏽”

That message, short and simple, was enough to send Fever fans into a frenzy.

Still, many remain skeptical. As of 6 p.m. Friday, no confirmed flight details had been released, and sources say FEMA and NYPD are limiting road access in several areas.

But if anyone can find a way through the storm, it’s Caitlin Clark.

THE FINAL PUSH

With just over 36 hours until tip-off, all eyes are on weather maps, airport reports — and Clark’s next move. The Fever’s game plan may still change, but one thing is certain:

This weekend, the story isn’t just about basketball. It’s about grit, chaos, and whether one of the greatest talents in sports today can outrun a historic storm to chase her destiny.

Because sometimes, legends aren’t made on the court — they’re made on the road to get there.