INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark will miss the remainder of the Indiana Fever’s season due to a proper groin harm.
“I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season,” Clark stated in a press release. “I spent hours within the gymnasium daily with the singular aim of getting again on the market, dissatisfied isn’t a large enough phrase to explain how I’m feeling. I need to thank everybody who had my again via all of the uncertainty.
“This has been incredibly frustrating, but even in the bad, there is good. The way the fans continued to show up for me, and for the Fever, brought me so much joy and important perspective. I am so proud of how this team has only gotten stronger through adversity this year. Now it’s time to close out the season and claim our spot in the playoffs.”
Clark was injured late in a July 15 recreation towards the Connecticut Solar, and later sustained a bone bruise. The previous Iowa star averaged 16.5 factors, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 13 video games in her second season within the WNBA.
“Caitlin has worked so hard throughout this time, doing everything possible to recover and return to the court but, ultimately, time is not on our side,” Fever COO and GM Amber Cox stated in a press release. ”Whereas we’ll proceed working with Caitlin and supply her with each useful resource now we have accessible, there may be not sufficient time left in our season for her to securely return, and her long-term well being and well-being stays our prime precedence. We’re trying ahead to having her again at full power to begin the 2026 season.”
The 2024 Rookie of the 12 months had been attempting to get again to assist her workforce attain the postseason for a second straight yr. She participated in full-court drills with out protection throughout a shootaround earlier than the Fever confronted the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night time. Coach Stephanie White stated Thursday at apply that Clark hasn’t performed a lot contact work but.
Indiana is at present in eighth place within the standings, 1 1/2 video games in entrance of Los Angeles with three video games to play.
It has been a tough season for Clark, who additionally handled accidents to her left quad and left groin. This was the primary time she’s had harm points. She by no means missed a recreation in her collegiate profession at Iowa or her first yr within the WNBA.
“Minor setback for a MAJOR COMEBACK!! Rest up, get healthy and be YOU!” NBA star LeBron James stated on social media.
The Fever have misplaced 5 gamers for the season with accidents now together with Clark. Fellow guards Sydney Colson (knee), Aari McDonald (foot) Sophie Cunningham (knee) and ahead Chloe Bibby (knee) are additionally out.
Clark has helped girls’s basketball develop in each school and the WNBA. The league had report attendance this season even with Clark lacking many of the season.
___
AP Basketball Author Doug Feinberg contributed to this report.
___
Initially Revealed: September 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM PDT