It’s been a strange, frustrating season for Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever guard came into the league riding a tidal wave of momentum-college basketball’s most electric scorer, a national icon, a new face for theWNBA. But lately, the conversation has shifted.
Instead of highlight reels and buzzer-beaters, Clark’s name is being mentioned more often in injury reports. She’s now dealing with her third soft tissue issue of the season, this time a groin strain. For someone who hadn’t missed a game due to injury since high school, that’s unfamiliar-and unwelcome-territory.
In an interview with Glamour, Clark got real about how it’s all been affecting her-physically and mentally.
“This is the first time I haven’t felt like a young body that can run around and sprint every day,” she said. “Being a professional athlete, you really have to take care of both your body and your mind. It’s been a journey learning about that.”
Caitlin Clark: “It’s not just physical. It wears on you emotionally”
What’s been most striking is how open Clark has been about the emotional toll. Being a rookie sensation comes with its own kind of weight-expectations, scrutiny, pressure to deliver. Now add nagging injuries to the mix, and it’s easy to see why she’s feeling burned out.
She’s doing everything she can to recover: red light therapy, dry needling, hyperbaric oxygen chambers-you name it. She even traveled with the team to New York recently just to consult with more doctors.
The Fever haven’t offered a return date, but it’s clear they’re hoping this is the last chapter in a difficult stretch. Clark has only played in 13 games this season. Her numbers are still respectable-14.2 points, 5.6 assists-but her shooting has dipped, especially on the road. According to ESPN Stats & Info, her field goal percentage has dropped nearly 8% from her rookie year.
Even so, the team is noticeably better when she’s on the court. Her presence changes spacing, tempo, and the energy in the building. That kind of impact is hard to replace.
Sue Bird touched on Clark’s situation in a recent episode of NBA Today, noting, “This league is no joke. Young stars like Caitlin are learning just how demanding it is-mentally and physically. She needs time and space to recover.”
For now, Clark’s focus is on healing-and not just her groin. She’s learning what it means to be a pro, beyond the court. It’s no longer just about minutes played or points scored. It’s about longevity. Balance. And maybe even asking for help.
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