Caitlin Clark has endured a stop-start sophomore campaign in the WNBA as she deals with nagging injuries that have affected her availability for the Indiana Fever.
On May 26, Clark was diagnosed with a left quadriceps strain that cost her five games; a month later, the superstar point guard was ruled out again with a left groin sprain. Clark then returned for four games only to suffer a right groin injury against the Connecticut Sun on July 15; she has not played since, missing All-Star festivities at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as a result.
MORE: Fever's Aliyah Boston shuts down Caitlin Clark narrative
In all, Clark has played just 13 games, and the Fever has felt her absence. But Indiana -- winners of three in a row -- has found a way to survive without her deadly shooting or elite playmaking. Entering Friday's game against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, the Fever is 15-12, one game behind the Seattle Storm for the fourth-best record in The W.
However, Clark already has been ruled out for the Fever's visit to Dallas, and her status going forward is unknown as Indiana prioritizes the 23-year-old's long-term health. What's more, Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham's characterization of the injury as "weird" casts further doubt on Clark's potential return to action.
"It’s such, like, a weird injury," Cunningham said Thursday on the "Show Me Something" podcast. "She’s not in pain all the time. But when you do hurt it you’re out for another...So I think they’re trying to be like extra cautious so she doesn’t kind of have those little setbacks.”
Given that Clark is the WNBA's top asset in a year when the players' union is bracing for a work stoppage, the league is no doubt loath to see her miss extensive game time. Yet, rushing Clark back onto the hardwood could have disastrous consequences that fans, players and executives alike will want to avoid.
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