Caitlin Clark's second WNBA season was unpredictable. Entering 2025, no one could have foreseen that the 2024 Rookie of the Year, whose dynamic playmaking and explosive shooting turned the Indiana Fever into a playoff team overnight, would miss most of her sophomore season -- just as few could have predicted that the Indiana Fever would win the Commissioner's Cup and nearly make the WNBA Finals without her.
But that's what happened. Clark suffered a left quad injury in May, a left groin injury in June and a right groin injury on July 15 that ultimately ended her season. However, Clark on Thursday said that she was nearing a return to the floor in August before she was derailed in her second full workout post-groin injury.
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During her exit interview, Clark revealed that she sustained "one of the worst sprains" in her career on Aug. 7, right as she was ramping up for a return to play. Clark had injured her left ankle, and it set her back once more; the two-time All-Star told reporters that the ankle sprain "didn't really allow (her)" to test her groin and her freedom of movement.
"I had a full intention of returning, and I think, in a way, that was probably positive for me, because that's how I approached every day, I came in here like I was going to play," Clark said.
Caitlin on her status: "I've been working really hard to get to full health ... my ankle didn't really allow me to see where my groin was at."
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) October 2, 2025
It was her second full workout back when she suffered the ankle injury on Aug. 7, says it was one of the worst sprains she's dealt with.
That said, Clark and the Fever both agreed to prioritize her long-term health -- and Indiana's surprise run to the WNBA semifinals will prompt significant enthusiasm over the Fever's chances next season, when Clark expects to be fully healthy.
If the Fever can re-sign pending free agent Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana will boast one of the WNBA's top trios in Clark, Mitchell and center Aliyah Boston -- an All-Star core that will have a chip on its shoulder.
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