Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark recently announced that she will miss the rest of the 2025 WNBA season following a string of injuries that obliged her to leave the season earlier than expected.
The 23-year-old guard, whose shooting and energetic playmaking have been the backbone of the team, suffered a right groin injury in mid-July that added to prior injuries and ended her season. At the time, people and experts blamed the short time of her recovery as reason why she recoiled.
A season full of injuries
Clark’s 2025 campaign was marked by a series of setbacks. She first pulled her left quadriceps late in May, then her left groin late in June. Returning to the court thereafter, she strained her right groin on July 15, and suffered a bone bruise to the left ankle adding more fire to her agony in early August. A season full of ups and downs due to her small maturity in the professional sports.
Even after completing an extensive rehab, Clark made the announcement on social media that she would not return this season. “Disappointed isn’t a big enough word,” she posted, thanking her teammates and fans for their support, according to ‘The Guardian‘
The toll of the WNBA grind
Experts attribute the blame to the WNBA’s narrow schedule. The average amount of time between games has decreased in recent years, and players have very little time to prepare and heal. In Clark’s situation, the shorter schedule likely compounded existing injuries, starting a cycle of overuse and stress.
Medical experts point out that such intense practice methods are what caused groin, quad, and ankle strains, especially in high-minute players such as Clark. Her string of injuries is a sign of the physical toll on top players in the league.
Despite the bad news, Clark is in high spirits. She complimented the determination and grit of her teammates and claimed to come back even stronger in 2026. The Indiana Fever, meanwhile, are also fighting for a playoff place while keep playing without her, motivated by her leadership on and off the court.
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