Fever Star Caitlin Clark Out at Least Two Weeks with Left Quad Strain
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks after suffering a left quadriceps strain during Saturday’s nail-biting 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, the defending WNBA champions.
Coach Stephanie White shared the latest update Monday, explaining that while the exact moment of Clark’s injury wasn’t clear, the team learned soon after the game that she had “something going on with her leg.” An MRI confirmed the strain, forcing Clark out of action for now — a big setback for one of the league’s top title contenders.
“Obviously, she wants to play, and everyone wants to see her out there,” White said after Monday’s practice. “But for me, it’s about keeping perspective — making sure we address this properly so it doesn’t turn into a long-term issue. We have to take care of her and not rush things.”
Clark wasn’t on the court with her teammates at practice and wasn’t available to comment. The team promises to provide updates as her recovery progresses.
This is the first time Clark has missed a game in her career. Last season, she played every single regular-season game plus both playoff contests. She also started this season strong, playing in the first four games after missing only one preseason match due to a minor leg injury.
Despite the injury, Clark put up impressive numbers in Saturday’s loss, scoring 18 points and dishing out 10 assists. However, she also lost the ball on Indiana’s final possession, attempting a game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds that didn’t connect. Coach White expressed frustration that no foul was called on the Liberty during that critical play.
Currently, Clark is averaging 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 6 rebounds per game this season. The Fever are sitting at a 2-2 record as they prepare to face Washington on Wednesday — a game Clark is expected to miss, along with upcoming home matchups against Connecticut and Washington, and a June 7 rematch against Chicago featuring Clark’s college rival, Angel Reese.
While Clark could be out longer, the Fever have a deep roster filled with seasoned veterans brought in during the offseason, giving the team some hope of weathering her absence. Still, the challenge remains to fill the huge gap left by Clark’s exceptional playmaking and leadership on the court.
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“Sometimes great players don’t tell you when they’re hurting,” White said. “I’m glad Caitlin spoke up, because we need to nip this in the bud.”
Clark set the WNBA single-season assist record last year with 337 helpers and led the Iowa Hawkeyes to back-to-back national runner-up finishes in college. Her impact on the Fever and the league can’t be overstated — making her recovery a top priority for Indiana.
Source: AP News – Fever star Caitlin Clark out at least 2 weeks with left quad strain
