Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White faced tough questions after Caitlin Clark suffered another groin injury during their 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun.
Clark, already sidelined with two separate leg injuries earlier this season, left the game appearing distressed and emotional – a moment that White described as “another bump in the road.”
No official diagnosis has been released, but one thing is clear: the Fever will closely monitor Clark’s condition before their next game against the Liberty.
White emphasized the brutal physical toll Clark has endured. “I knew it as an opponent, and I see it as her coach,” White noted. “It just is what it is, and we’ve got to help her learn to adjust and use it against them in certain ways.”
Adjusting to WNBA’s physicality
White’s comments echoed a rising concern throughout the WNBA: Caitlin’s fearless play is drawing rougher defense than usual. “We’ve got to find some ways to make it a little bit easier for her,” White said. She stressed that league-wide physicality has risen sharply-something Clark was shielded from during her collegiate years.
Despite the injury, Clark’s impact on the court remains significant. When she’s playing, the Fever are a solid 8-5; without her, they’re just 4-5.
Clark’s averages-16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds-highlight her value, and her role as a 2025 All-Star Game captain makes her presence even more vital.
White emphasized patience and a step-by-step evaluation approach to Clark’s recovery. “I think we just take it one step at a time. That’s the way we’ve been managing it all season,” she said, referencing Clark’s absences: five games due to a quad strain and another five because of prior groin trouble.
Clark’s growing frustrations were evident during the game. Midway through, she faced off with a referee, clashing over a call before being held back. Later, after assisting on the team’s final basket, she grabbed her groin and covered her head with a towel on the sideline – another clear sign of the physical toll.
This pattern is concerning. White hinted that opponents are now gauging Clark not just as a scoring threat but as a target to wear down. Creating an offensive strategy that allows her to use this physicality to her advantage – or at least circumvent it-has become a coaching priority.
How Fever can protect Clark
With the Liberty game fast approaching – and the All-Star weekend looming – Clark’s availability is uncertain. White said the Fever will gather more information through further evaluations before making a call.
“We know that we have a tough opponent in New York,” White said. “We know that it’s going to be a challenge, no matter what, and we’ve just got to get locked in and ready to compete.”
Even if Clark sits out, the team is prepared. “We’ve got experience playing without her,” White reminded reporters. Still, the coach acknowledged that losing her leadership on the court is a setback.
White’s commitment to both Clark’s health and competitiveness is clear. She’s focused on making tactical adjustments, managing Clark’s minutes, and hoping for a full recovery – while still aiming for on-court success.
As the Fever navigate this critical stretch, their ability to protect and support their star will likely define their season. Caitlin Clark’s talent continues to fuel excitement – but ensuring her fitness may be their biggest challenge yet.
Read the full article here
