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Following an outstanding first season, Caitlin Clark’s second season has faced challenges.
Clark suffered a quad injury after just four games. She returned to play five games before being sidelined again with a reaggravated groin injury following four more contests.
Clark has only participated in 13 out of 31 possible games, with her last appearance dating back to July 15.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever attends a WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena. (Mark J. Rebilas/ Imagn Images)
Her injury has noticeably impacted her performance, as she struggled with her shooting, going 7-for-49 from 3-point range in her last six games. Prior to that, she had a successful 11-for-20 record in the first two games post her quad injury.
The injury prevented Clark from participating in the All-Star Game despite receiving 1 million fan votes.
“There’s just been so much to manage. … Obviously, I feel like that’s been a huge part of this year. It’s just been so challenging being active and then playing four games … and then not feeling the best. And then I’m frustrated about how hard I’ve worked in the offseason. And then all I do is rehab and continue through this process and just trying to trust that the best I can,” Clark shared on WNBA legend Sue Bird’s podcast.
“Obviously, there are really frustrating days, and there are days where it’s a little bit easier, and you’re very motivated. And you’re close to the finish line of getting back and being back. It’s not like I have a training camp to build up to play in my first game again. It’s like, ‘No, you’re tossed into game 30, like, ‘Go try to play well.’ It’s hard, it really is.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the bench after an apparent injury during a game against the Connecticut Sun on July 15, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
“I think it has given me really good perspective on what a lot of my teammates and teams I’ve been a part of [and] what certain people have had to go through,” she continued. “I’ve never been through anything like this. I think that’s probably why it’s been so hard because I’ve never really dealt with injury.
“And that’s probably been a challenge in itself because when I was first feeling pain, I didn’t understand it. I was like, ‘Am I just getting tight? Am I just getting old? Do I need to hit a stretch? Do I need to get rubbed out? Do I need some Icy Hot? What’s going on here?
“So, I think it’s been a balance of understanding my body. Whether it’s this year or whether it’s next year and even throughout my career, I’m going to be very thankful for this moment. I know this is going to help me understand my body better.”
The Indiana Fever have struggled without Clark in recent games. After losing the first two games following her injury, they managed to string together five consecutive wins before facing another two losses.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever during a game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. (Steven Bisig/Imagn Images)
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The Indiana Fever will face off against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on Saturday.
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