Caitlin Clark Sits Again as Injury Lingers \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark missed her second consecutive game against the New York Liberty due to a groin injury sustained last week. The WNBA All-Star also missed both the 3-point contest and All-Star Game during the weekend in Indianapolis. Coach Stephanie White says Clark is still undergoing evaluation and treatment.
Quick Looks
- Caitlin Clark missed Tuesday’s game vs. New York due to a groin injury.
- She also sat out the pre-All-Star game against the Liberty.
- Clark missed the All-Star Game and 3-point contest in Indianapolis.
- The injury occurred in the final minute of a win over Connecticut.
- She consulted a doctor in New York, per Fever coach Stephanie White.
- Fans at Barclays Center still showed up in Clark’s No. 22 jerseys.
- This marks Clark’s 11th missed game of the season due to injury.
- She never missed a game from injury in college or her rookie year.
Deep Look
Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s superstar guard and arguably the most influential face in women’s basketball today, is facing a difficult chapter in her young but storied professional career. After missing Tuesday night’s game against the New York Liberty, Clark has now sat out two consecutive matchups with one of the league’s top teams — both on either side of the WNBA All-Star break — due to a lingering groin injury that’s beginning to raise deeper concerns.
The injury not only kept her out of key regular-season games but also sidelined her from participating in two of the All-Star Weekend’s biggest events — the 3-point contest and the All-Star Game itself, both of which were held in her home market of Indianapolis, where fans had eagerly anticipated her shining on a national stage.
Instead of celebrating, Clark spent the weekend undergoing treatment and rehab for the groin issue she sustained in the final minute of last Tuesday’s road win against Connecticut. Though the injury didn’t initially appear severe, it has proven disruptive enough to limit her involvement with the team and derail her All-Star Weekend plans.
A Growing Injury Trend for the Fever Star
Clark’s current injury adds to a growing list of health concerns in her second WNBA season. She has now missed 11 games this year, 10 of which came in the first half of the season, largely due to a variety of muscle strains and soft tissue injuries. This is a dramatic departure from her pre-professional reputation: the former Iowa Hawkeye never missed a single game due to injury in her college career, nor during her Rookie of the Year campaign last season.
Her durability had been one of her most impressive assets. That’s why this sudden bout of injuries — especially muscle-related ones that tend to linger without proper rest — is such a worrying development for both Clark and the Fever.
In recent weeks, Clark had appeared to find her rhythm again, averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, providing leadership and explosiveness that helped the Fever to a 12–11 record — keeping them in the WNBA playoff hunt despite a bumpy start.
But Tuesday’s absence marked the second time in a row that fans in New York were deprived of seeing the league’s biggest star live. At Barclays Center, fans flooded the arena in Clark’s No. 22 jerseys, only to be met with disappointment when it became clear she would not suit up.
Team Response and Recovery Outlook
Fever head coach Stephanie White confirmed that Clark had seen a doctor in New York, though the coaching staff had yet to receive full medical feedback by the time of tipoff. “I haven’t spoken with our trainers since shootaround,” White said before the game. “We’re just waiting to hear more from her appointment.”
White emphasized that the team’s long-term priority is making sure Clark fully recovers rather than pushing her through discomfort for short-term gain. “These soft tissue injuries can be tricky,” she added. “Sometimes they nag until you can actually have time to fully let them heal in the offseason.”
This cautious tone reflects a broader philosophy in the WNBA — especially for young stars expected to have long-term franchise impact. There’s also no ignoring Clark’s massive marketing and viewership appeal; a prolonged absence or re-injury would be both a competitive and commercial setback for the Fever and the league.
A Star Misses Her Moment on the National Stage
Clark’s absence from All-Star Weekend — especially on her home turf — wasn’t just a disappointment for fans, but a missed opportunity for the league to capitalize on her growing global profile.
Since being drafted No. 1 overall out of Iowa, Clark has reshaped how the WNBA is consumed, drawing record-breaking ratings and attendance wherever she goes. Her absence from the 3-point contest and All-Star Game was palpable. Fans had purchased tickets, merchandise, and made travel plans in large part to see her.
Though Clark did attend some weekend events and maintained a public presence, she admitted she spent most of her time in Indianapolis undergoing therapy. “I would’ve loved to be out there competing,” she said. “But right now, my job is to get healthy and make sure I can help my team when it matters most.”
Fever’s Midseason Crossroads
At 12–11, the Fever remain in the playoff mix, but Clark’s availability will determine their ceiling. In games where she’s healthy and aggressive, Indiana’s offense looks fluid and formidable. Without her, the team often lacks rhythm and consistent playmaking.
Her on-court vision, passing creativity, and three-point range make her uniquely difficult to replace — and while Indiana has talent, there’s no real backup for a player of her caliber.
Fever fans and staff alike are hoping that the team’s post-All-Star break schedule will provide windows for rest and recovery. But muscle-related injuries, especially in the groin and hamstring area, tend to linger if not treated cautiously, especially in a compressed WNBA season with limited downtime.
A Shift in Narrative?
Clark’s injury doesn’t erase what she’s accomplished in her brief professional career. She’s still a two-time All-Star, a Rookie of the Year, and has quickly become the face of the WNBA’s future. But the recent injury struggles are a reminder of the grueling demands of the league, especially on younger players making the leap from college to the pros.
Many observers note that Clark has been heavily relied on since her debut — often logging major minutes and carrying a large offensive load. The Fever’s front office and coaching staff may need to reconsider usage patterns to better preserve her health in the long term.
There’s also pressure from the league and media to balance her on-court duties with intense off-court obligations — interviews, endorsements, appearances — all of which contribute to fatigue.
What Comes Next?
The Fever have not released a definitive timeline for Clark’s return. With the playoff race tightening, her health is now the biggest storyline of the second half of Indiana’s season. Will Clark return at full strength, or will lingering soreness force her to play a more limited role?
For now, fans and analysts alike are watching closely. One thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s presence or absence could shape not just Indiana’s season, but the broader momentum of the WNBA itself.
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