Caitlin Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, took the league by storm, shattering records like the single-season assist mark (337) and becoming the first rookie with a triple-double. But 2025 has been a different story. She has suffered from various injuries, which have prevented her from playing in 15 of the Fever’s 28 games.
With her absence, the “Caitlin Clark Effect” is fading-can she reclaim her throne, or is her hype over? Clark’s injuries have opened the door for others. Indiana Fever has thrived without her, winning 4 games in a row and 7 of the last 9.
Furthermore, they improve to 4 games over .500 for the first time in a decade. All without Caitlin on the court.
Meanwhile, Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings’ rookie, dazzles with 17.5 PPG and All-Star honors. Angel Reese, averaging 12.8 rebounds for Chicago Sky, and Cameron Brink, despite her own injuries, are boosting their brands. On X, @WNBAFanatic posts, “Bueckers and Reese are eating Clark’s lunch.” Will Clark’s return outshine them?
Clark has suffered even when she is healthy
When Caitlin Clark has been healthy enough to play, she’s had a tough time recapturing the All-WNBA First Team form she showed last season. Outside of her triple-double in the season opener and a huge 32-point, eight-rebound, nine-assist game after returning from injury, most of the talk around her game has focused on a prolonged shooting slump.
Over her last seven games, Clark has gone just 7-for-49 from three-point range and has gone completely cold from deep in three of those outings. For the season, she’s shooting 36.7% overall and just 27.9% from three. Her road numbers are even rougher – she’s just 2-for-35 from beyond the arc away from home.
Still, even with her shot not falling, Clark’s impact is clear. She’s averaging 16.5 points, five rebounds, and 8.8 assists (second-best in the league), and the Fever simply play better when she’s on the court. Indiana is 8-5 with her and 7-7 without, and their offensive rating jumps from 102.2 to 108.6 when she plays.
With no return timetable, Clark faces a tough road. Her recovery will decide if she can reignite the league-altering hype or if 2025 marks the end of her reign as the WNBA’s darling.
Read the full article here
