WNBA star Caitlin Clark endured a year to forget, marked by recurring injuries and a lack of visible growth in her game. What began with high expectations quickly spiraled into frustration as physical setbacks repeatedly derailed her progress, ultimately forcing her to miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
Caitlin Clark began the year generating excitement
During the offseason, videos of Clark’s workouts circulated widely, fueling excitement among fans. The footage suggested she was putting in the work to elevate her game ahead of the new season. Head coach Stephanie White was heavily invested in refining Clark’s skills and shaping her into a franchise cornerstone capable of leading the Indiana Fever to new heights.
Entering her second year, expectations were enormous. After a standout rookie campaign, many believed Clark was poised to take a major leap and solidify herself among the league’s elite players. Instead, her sophomore season unraveled. Lingering injuries made it impossible for Clark to maintain consistency, sidelining her for extended stretches before ultimately shutting her down for the rest of the year.
A path toward MVP talk was derailed by injuries
Stephanie White’s early work with Clark appeared promising. The young star was quickly absorbing new concepts and applying them on the court, all while the organization surrounded her with complementary talent. The Fever looked poised for a breakthrough season, with Clark potentially entering the conversation for league MVP honors. However, that vision collapsed as a series of injuries halted both her momentum and the team’s aspirations.
Cassie Chentel, host of the podcast Let’s Talk Hoops, summed up the situation bluntly, pointing to the lack of visible development in Clark’s game.
I don’t know how much she’s improved based on what she showed us in this season from her rookie season to now. We hadn’t seen many changes.
Chentel’s criticism was harsh but accurate. With Clark spending so little time on the floor, it was nearly impossible to gauge whether her skill set had improved, plateaued, or even regressed.
Limited action, limited impact
Clark managed to play just 13 games this season, giving fans only glimpses of her abilities. She attempted 28 mid-range field goals during that span, a noticeable increase from the 37 she attempted across 40 games last year, signaling a willingness to expand her offensive arsenal. Still, the challenge remains immense.
Turnovers continue to be a pressing issue. Clark averaged 5.1 per game – a slight 0.5 decrease from last season, but still alarmingly high. From three-point range, she connected on only one of 23 attempts, a decline that further fueled criticism of her offensive efficiency.
Her struggles weren’t just statistical. Clark was never fully healthy, battling two quad strains, groin issues on both sides, and an ankle bone bruise suffered while rehabbing her latest setback.
Chentel highlighted the mental toll of these physical battles in early August.
It’s just been so challenging being active and then playing four games, and then not – and then not feeling the best, and then I’m frustrated about how hard I’ve worked in the offseason.
For Clark and the Fever, 2025 will be remembered as a season of what-ifs, defined by injuries and unrealized potential.
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