Caitlin Clark has once again found herself battling injury, this time grasping her right groin in the final moments of the Indiana Fever’s 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun.
It was a game marked by high energy, packed stands, and late-game heroics – but it ended with Clark visibly in pain and emotionally shaken.
The sold-out crowd at TD Garden witnessed another gritty performance from the rookie phenom. But after her final assist sealed the game, Clark walked back up the court hunched slightly, clutching her right side.
Fever forward Aliyah Boston tried to comfort her, but Clark’s reaction spoke louder than words-she banged her head against the basket stanchion, then sat down with a towel over her head, fighting back tears.
Head coach Stephanie White offered little in terms of concrete updates: “No update. Just felt a little something in her groin,” she said. “We’ll get it evaluated and see what happens.”
Medical expert sounds the alarm
While the Fever coaching staff took a cautious tone, sports physician Dr. Jesse Morse wasn’t as reserved. On social media, Dr. Morse didn’t mince words when critiquing the current handling of Clark’s condition: “Whatever the medical staff is doing right now is unfortunately not enough.”
According to Dr. Morse, groin injuries are particularly problematic because they’re slow to heal and easy to aggravate.
“They are constantly required for anything involving the legs,” he emphasized, pointing out the critical role groin muscles play in a player’s mobility and overall explosiveness.
Dr. Morse even suggested advanced treatment options such as stem cell injections to accelerate healing and prevent further setbacks.
This latest groin issue is especially concerning because it’s on the right side – whereas her earlier injuries were on the left. That signals a potential compensation issue, which often happens when athletes subconsciously shift their movements to protect a healing area, placing added strain elsewhere.
In Clark’s case, it’s beginning to look like a cycle that could become increasingly difficult to manage without significant intervention.
Clark soldiers on despite pain
Despite the discomfort, Clark still delivered a near triple-double with 14 points, seven assists, and eight rebounds. However, her shooting struggles continued-just 4-for-14 from the field and a rough 1-for-7 from three-point range.
That lone three-pointer did come at a crucial moment, pushing the Fever to their largest lead of the night with just three minutes remaining.
The groin issue may partly explain her declining shooting rhythm and lateral movement. For a player known for deep threes and sharp cuts, these limitations are glaring. And yet, her presence on the floor still drives Indiana’s offense.
Coach White attempted to remain positive: “At least we’ve got experience in that,” she said, referencing previous games where the team played without Clark. While intended as reassurance, it was perhaps unintentionally revealing of how frequently the Fever have had to adapt to her absence.
As the Fever evaluate her condition further, one thing is clear: Clark’s long-term health may hinge not just on rest, but on strategic medical intervention.
Whether the Fever’s staff adapts or continues business as usual may determine whether this season becomes a footnote – or a warning sign.
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