Injury Struggles Continue as Caitlin Clark Sidelined Ahead of Key Matchup
Clark’s ongoing battle with injuries continues to impact her season, as the Indiana Fever star is set to miss her sixth consecutive match due to a right groin injury. This setback comes as her team prepares to face off against Dallas Wings and the highly-touted No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers. Initially injured in a game against the Connecticut Sun on July 15, Clark still lacks a definite return date.
A team update on July 24 revealed that Clark underwent additional medical evaluations which confirmed no further injuries or damage were present. It was noted that Clark will remain focused on recovery and rehabilitation, with her long-term health and well-being being the primary concern.
After Friday’s game, the Fever will embark on a four-game road trip in early August, challenging prominent teams like Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, and Phoenix Mercury. The question remains if Clark will be medically cleared for participation during this stretch away from Indiana.
Clark’s once-promising sophomore season has been marred by various injuries, a stark contrast to her stellar rookie year as the league’s Rookie of the Year. Between a left quad strain, a left groin injury, and her current right groin issue, she’s been limited to just 13 games. This season has forced her to miss notable events like the Commissioner’s Cup and the All-Star weekend in her new home city of Indianapolis.
Previously resilient, Clark never missed a game due to injury since her high school days until now. She reflected on this new reality during an interview with Glamour, saying, “This is the first time I haven’t felt like a young body that can run around and sprint every day and just continue to do that. Being a professional athlete, you really have to take care of both your body and your mind – it’s been a journey learning about that.”
When Clark has managed to take the court, recapturing her All-WNBA First Team form has been a challenge. Despite a promising start with a triple-double in the Fever’s season opener and a strong comeback performance, her shooting woes are a major talking point. In her last seven outings, Clark has connected on just 7 of 49 three-point attempts and hasn’t made a single one in three separate games. Her overall shooting is down to 36.7% from the field, with a measly 27.9% from long distance, including a concerning 2 of 35 from three-point range when playing away games.
Despite the shooting slump, Clark remains a significant contributor, averaging an impressive 16.5 points, five rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game – ranking second in the league. The Fever’s performance is markedly better when she’s on the court, boasting an 8-5 record as opposed to a 7-7 tally in her absence. The team’s offensive rating also sees a noticeable drop without her influence, from 108.6 to 102.2.
Approaching Friday’s game, the Fever hold onto sixth place and possess a two-game lead over the ninth-place Washington Mystics. As the critical end-of-season stretch looms, the Fever faces the delicate task of allowing Clark’s recovery while striving for the postseason, balancing her health and the team’s playoff ambitions.