Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever star and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, has encountered a new first in her impressive career during the 2025 WNBA season.
After a flawless record of never missing a game in college and her rookie year, Clark has had to battle injuries and missed 10 games, marking the longest stretch of her career without play.
A Challenging Start to the 2025 Season
Clark had been a constant presence on the court, both during her time at Iowa and in her rookie season with the Fever, where she played in every game.
However, the 2025 season has been a different story. After suffering a quad injury in the Fever’s May 24 loss to the New York Liberty, Clark missed five games.
She returned to action on June 14 in a win over the Liberty, where she posted an impressive 32 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds.
However, just four games later, Clark suffered a groin injury, which sidelined her for another five games, including the Fever’s Commissioner’s Cup win on July 1. Despite this setback, the Fever managed a 5-5 record in her absence.
“I’m excited to get out there. It’s been so challenging because I’ve never been through this before,” Clark said about the difficulty of sitting out games.
Struggles with Injuries and Shooting Slump
Returning on July 9 for a loss to the Golden State Valkyries, Clark showed her grit but also acknowledged the toll the injuries had taken on her game.
She recorded 10 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds in her return but admitted she was still working on regaining her full strength. “It felt good to be out there,” she shared, “but it’s going to take me a second to get my wind back.”
Her time off has also affected her shooting performance. Over her last four games, Clark has struggled with her accuracy, shooting 17-for-59 from the field and only 3-for-28 from three-point range.
Despite these challenges, Clark is determined to stay mentally strong and prepare for the remainder of the season.
“It’s been hard, I’m not gonna lie. It’s difficult preparing for games but knowing you’re not playing in them,” Clark admitted. “It’s challenged me mentally… Just trying to get my body as healthy as I can be and remain confident in myself.”
Mental and Physical Challenges
Fever head coach Stephanie White echoed Clark’s sentiments, acknowledging that injury recovery can be both physically and mentally challenging. “It’s hard mentally.
You want to be out there, you’re competitive, and you want to help your team,” White said. “This is Caitlin’s first experience with this, so everything from rehab and treatment to return-to-play is new for her.”
Despite Injuries, Clark Still Shines
Even with the setbacks, Clark remains one of the league’s top players. Through 10 games, she’s still averaging 17.4 points, 8.6 assists (second in the league), and 5.0 rebounds. Her impressive stats earned her a spot as a 2025 WNBA All-Star captain, thanks to fan votes.
She currently holds the third spot in WNBA MVP odds, trailing only Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
With the All-Star break approaching, the Indiana Fever are in a strong position to make a run for the playoffs, bolstered by Clark’s leadership. Last season, the Fever turned things around after the All-Star break, going 9-5 to secure their first postseason appearance since 2016.
With the team still in contention and Clark on her way back to full form, the Fever are hopeful for a repeat performance.
