BOSTON (AP) — Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever left the game in tears during the final minutes of the team’s 85-77 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night after appearing to injure her leg.
Clark, visibly upset, grabbed at her right groin as she walked down the court following an assist on the Fever’s final basket.
Teammate Aliyah Boston attempted to console her as she made her way to the basket stanchion, where she banged her head against it before heading to the bench. During the timeout, Clark covered her head with a towel and appeared to fight back tears.
“No update. Just felt a little something in her groin,” said Fever coach Stephanie White after the game. “We’ll get it evaluated and see what happens from there.” This injury marks Clark’s third of the season, following two previous leg injuries that caused her to miss nine games earlier in the year.
Clark’s Struggles on the Court
Despite the injury, Clark finished the game with 14 points, seven assists, and eight rebounds, but her performance wasn’t without challenges. She made just 4 of 14 shots, including a 1 of 7 from beyond the arc.
She also committed five turnovers but did manage to make her only 3-pointer in the final minutes of the game, pushing the Fever’s lead to nine points — their largest of the match.
Clark’s absence did little to dampen the victory for the Fever, who surged ahead in the fourth quarter to secure the win. The team had experience playing without Clark earlier in the season, and White is hopeful for her recovery, adding, “We’ll have another evaluation, probably a conversation, and we’ll see where we are.”
Fever Fans and Clark’s Impact in Boston
The atmosphere at TD Garden was electric, as the sold-out crowd of 19,156 packed the arena to see New England’s only WNBA team in action. Fans were particularly eager to see Caitlin Clark, who has become one of the league’s breakout stars.
Clark, known for her long-range shooting and dynamic playstyle, was a fan favorite, with many donning her No. 22 jersey and gathering around courtside to try and get her autograph before the game.
Among those attending the game were Celtics players Jaylen Brown and Georges Niang, Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito, and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, all there to support the Fever’s historic game in Boston.
Clark Reflects on Playing in Boston
Before the game, Clark spoke about the opportunity to play in such a legendary venue, which has seen numerous NBA championships and is home to the Boston Celtics.
“The Celtics are one of the premier organizations of the NBA,” she said. “Having won a championship two years ago now, it’s kind of cool to just be in this building and surround yourself with the greatness that has played in this arena.”
Clark also expressed excitement about the chance to visit Fenway Park during her time in Boston, though she was unable to attend a Red Sox game due to the All-Star break. “It seems like an amazing city,” she said. “I would love to come back here and explore a little bit more in the history of it and all the amazing things that you can do.”
Boston Could Support a WNBA Team
Aliyah Boston, a native of Massachusetts and former South Carolina Gamecock, expressed her belief that Boston could support a WNBA team, pointing to the strong atmosphere at the TD Garden for both the Celtics and the Fever’s sold-out games.
“When you look at the atmosphere for the Celtics, when you look at the atmosphere for the two TD Garden games that now we’ve had, it’s been sold out. It’s been energy,” she said. “They obviously have been great, and I think that’s going to be the same all the time.”
Looking Ahead
While Clark’s injury puts a cloud over the Fever’s win, the team is hopeful that she will recover quickly. The Fever are set to play the New York Liberty on Wednesday night at the Barclays Center, their second straight game in an NBA arena.
As for Clark, her injury is just the latest in a season filled with challenges, but her resilience and impact on the court continue to make her one of the most exciting young players in the WNBA.
