Caitlin Clark will miss the remainder of the Indiana Fever’s season due to a proper groin damage.
“I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season,” Clark mentioned in an announcement Thursday. “I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling. I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty.”
“This has been incredibly frustrating, but even in the bad, there is good,” she continued. “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 Clark of the Indiana Fever reacts throughout the second half of the WNBA recreation towards the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Enviornment on Sept. 2, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Fever 85-79.
Christian Petersen / Getty Pictures
“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 mentioned in an announcement. “While we will continue working with Caitlin and provide her with every resource we have available, there is not enough time left in our season for her to safely return, and her long-term health and well-being remains our top priority. We are looking forward to having her back at full strength to start the 2026 season.”
The 2024 Rookie of the Yr had been attempting to get again to assist her workforce attain the postseason for a second straight 12 months. 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 mentioned Thursday at follow that Clark hasn’t performed a lot contact work but.
Indiana is at the moment 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 damage points. She by no means missed a recreation in her collegiate profession at Iowa or her first 12 months within the WNBA.
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 a lot of the season.
“No league’s ever about one player,” Engelbert mentioned on the time. “That player could get hurt or whatever. So I think it’s just to give recognition that in sports, people watch for compelling content and rivalries. And you can’t do that alone as one person.”
