Caitlin Clark’s expressive nature means fans can read her emotions from a mile away-and during a tense Indiana Fever game, they could instantly tell something was wrong. Without even stepping onto the court, Clark’s face betrayed the kind of pain that made everyone watching wince with her.
A rare “off-court foul” sparks debate
It didn’t take long to see what happened. In the middle of the game’s intensity, assistant coach Karima Christmas-Kelly jumped up and, in the chaos, accidentally stepped on Clark’s foot. The stomp looked anything but gentle, and Clark’s reaction made it crystal clear the impact had landed hard.
Christmas-Kelly quickly turned back to help the rookie limp toward the seats behind her, an alarming sight for fans-especially since Clark hasn’t played in several games and the Fever can’t afford another setback.
The clip spread online within minutes, splitting the internet in two. Some fans were convinced Clark was overreacting, pointing to past moments on the court where they claim she’s made a big deal out of minimal contact. For them, this was “proof” of her dramatic flair. Others defended her, saying the stomp looked painful and that anyone in her shoes-literally-would’ve reacted the same way.
As the cameras followed her, things took another twist. Clark’s expression tightened even more, hinting that her right groin strain-the injury that’s kept her sidelined-might have flared up again. Christmas-Kelly stayed by her side, checking in until she was settled on the bench. Clark did manage to crack a smile back at her coach, but the discomfort was still written across her face.
Fever play it safe with their star
Fortunately for the Fever, the injury scare didn’t appear serious. Just a few plays later, cameras caught Clark grinning and chatting with Christmas-Kelly, signaling she was okay. But the incident served as a sharp reminder of her ongoing recovery. Head coach Stephanie White has been firm about not rushing her return, stressing the importance of getting Clark to full strength before she hits the hardwood again.
With the season entering its most crucial stretch and playoff hopes on the line, the Fever know they can’t risk losing their young star all over again. Even if this was just an “oops” moment, it was enough to make Indiana-and its fans-hold their breath for a beat too long.
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