Caitlin Clark Opens Up About Injury-Plagued Second Season
Caitlin Clark recently shared insights about her difficult sophomore season with the Indiana Fever, which was significantly hampered by multiple injuries limiting her to just 13 games. Speaking to reporters after the Las Vegas Aces eliminated the Fever from the playoffs, the 23-year-old star reflected on her challenging journey back to health. “I’ve been working really hard to get back to full health, and I feel like, probably, over these last couple of weeks is when I’ve probably started feeling my best,” Clark explained. Her injury saga began with left groin and quad issues, followed by a right groin injury before the All-Star break. The situation was further complicated by a bone bruise in her left ankle that occurred during her rehabilitation in early August, which she described as “probably one of the worst sprains I’ve dealt with.”
The physical toll of these injuries was matched by the mental challenge of being sidelined during crucial games. Clark candidly shared that the rehabilitation process was often more demanding than playing itself: “When you’re injured, it’s honestly more work than when you’re playing.” Despite announcing in early September that she would not return for the remainder of the season, Clark maintained a positive outlook throughout her recovery. This perspective allowed her to develop in other ways, particularly as a leader and observer of the game. “There were certainly some hard days,” she admitted, “I think it taught me how to be a really good leader, how to be a really good teammate, and how to empathize with your teammates in certain situations.”
Being forced to watch from the sidelines offered Clark a unique opportunity to see the game differently. “When you are in the heat of battle, your emotions are high and you feel things differently,” she reflected. “When you’re on the sidelines and you don’t have a jersey on, you can observe and really watch people and learn about people.” This unexpected pause in her meteoric career provided valuable lessons in patience and perspective that might otherwise have been missed in the whirlwind of a typical WNBA season. For a player who has been in the spotlight constantly since her college days, this forced step back may have offered rare moments of reflection and growth outside the pressure of performance.
Despite Clark’s limited playing time, she still managed to post impressive numbers when healthy, averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and five rebounds over 31.1 minutes per game in her 13 appearances. These statistics hint at what might have been a spectacular full season had injuries not intervened. What makes her situation particularly poignant is that it came after such a highly anticipated rookie season, with expectations sky-high for her sophomore campaign. The basketball world was eager to see how Clark would build on her initial success, making the injury setbacks all the more frustrating for fans and presumably for Clark herself, though she maintained a remarkably positive public stance throughout.
The resilience of the Indiana Fever as a team was perhaps one silver lining in Clark’s difficult season. Even without their star player, Sophie Cunningham, and others due to injuries, the team showed tremendous heart by pushing the Aces to a decisive Game 5 in the WNBA semifinals. This unexpected playoff run demonstrated the depth and character of the Fever roster, perhaps giving Clark additional confidence in her team moving forward. It also showed that while she is undoubtedly a transformative talent, the organization has been building a competitive foundation that can withstand temporary setbacks—an encouraging sign for the franchise’s future.
Looking ahead, Clark has decided to prioritize her recovery by not participating in Unrivaled, the 3×3 women’s basketball league, during the offseason. This marks the second consecutive year she has opted out of the league, choosing rest and rehabilitation instead. This decision reflects a mature understanding of her body’s needs and the importance of long-term health over short-term opportunities. For WNBA fans, Clark’s careful approach to recovery offers hope that she’ll return at full strength for her third season, ready to showcase the extraordinary skills that have made her one of basketball’s most exciting young stars. Her journey through these injuries, while disappointing in the moment, may ultimately strengthen her resilience and appreciation for the game as she moves forward in what promises to be a remarkable career.
