In just her second year as a professional, Caitlin Clark has spent more time nursing injuries than showcasing the trademark deep threes and clutch passes that made her a household name.
During a recent game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Clark made her way to the Fever bench, and while there was nothing particularly dramatic about her movement, a closer look revealed signs of discomfort.
She walked slowly, hands in pockets, then used the back of a chair to ease herself into a seat. For those paying attention, it was a troubling sight.
Injuries halt Clark’s once relentless momentum
Clark‘s reputation at Iowa was built not only on her basketball genius, but on her ability to show up every game, every night, for four straight seasons.
In the WNBA, her rookie campaign followed suit. She played through pain, took hard fouls, and kept moving. But 2025 has tested her like never before.
A string of lower-body injuries has left Clark sidelined far too often for comfort. After dealing with quad soreness in the preseason, she was hit with a left quad strain that forced her to sit.
She bounced back with a highlight performance against New York but that return was short-lived. Soon after, she was diagnosed with a left groin strain.
Physical pain meets emotional fatigue as Clark’s absence grows longer
For a player whose entire identity has been built on joy, availability, and sheer energy, Clark‘s quiet exits and prolonged absences feel jarring. She’s known for lighting up arenas and igniting young fans’ dreams with her every move. Now, each appearance is shadowed by questions about her health and longevity.
She hasn’t played in the majority of games this season. From a superstar who never sat out in college, to a professional struggling to stay on the court, the transformation has been dramatic, and concerning.
What makes this situation particularly unsettling is how subtle it all feels. Clark isn’t hobbling off the court in agony.
She’s not publicly venting frustration. Instead, she appears in flashes, walking carefully, sitting cautiously, offering support from the bench while trying not to betray the fact that something clearly isn’t right.
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