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Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever All-Star tweaks right groin in win vs. Sun
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- Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever All-Star tweaks right groin in win vs. Sun
Caitlin Clark continues to battle the injury bug this season.
Clark appeared to injure her right groin late in the Indiana Fever's 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, July 15, which marked only her fourth game back since a left groin injury sidelined her for five games. Following the win, Fever head coach Stephanie White confirmed that Clark "felt a little something in her groin," adding that Clark "will get it evaluated and see what happens from there."
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It's a devastating blow for Clark as the Fever are due to host the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis in mere days. Clark previously said dealing with injuries for the first time in her career has been "challenging mentally," despite doing everything "to put myself in a position to be available the rest of the year."
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts on the bench after a play against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at TD Garden.
'ITS DIFFICULT:' Caitlin Clark says injury-riddled season has taken mental toll
Here's everything we know about Clark's injury and her return:
Is Caitlin Clark playing today? Status vs. New York Liberty
The Fever's matchup against the Liberty is the second game of a back-to-back for Indiana, which would be challenging enough without an injury. It's not clear if Clark will be good to go after appearing to hurt her right groin injury. It's worth noting that Clark has not played in back-to-back games all season.
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Did Caitlin Clark get hurt? What happened?
Clark appeared to suffer an injury in the final minute of the Fever's 85-77 victory over the Sun in TD Garden in Boston. With 39.1 seconds remaining in the contest, Clark completed a bounce pass to Kelsey Mitchell to go up 84-75. After the pass, Clark immediately grabbed for her right groin, grimaced as she gingerly walked over to a stanchion. She head butted the stanchion and put a towel over her head on the bench.
She did not return to the game.
How many games has Caitlin Clark missed this season?
Clark has missed a career-high 10 games this season.
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Clark suffered a left quad injury during the Fever's 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty on May 24 and subsequently missed five games. Clark returned to the Fever's lineup on June 14 in the Fever's 102-88 win over the Liberty and dropped 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in her first game back. Clark then suffered a left groin injury four games later in the Fever's 94-86 win over the Seattle Storm on June 24, which resulted in Clark missing the team's next five games, including the Fever's 2025 Commissioner's Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx on July 1. The Fever went 5-5 without Clark in the lineup.
She returned for the Fever's 80-61 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on July 9 and recorded 10 points, six assists and five rebounds in the losing effort: "It felt good to be out there. It's going to take me a second to get my wind back."
Entering the 2025 WNBA season , Clark had never missed a collegiate or professional game. She appeared in every game for the Hawkeyes during her four years in black and gold, and played in all 40 games for the Fever in her first WNBA season, winning Rookie of the Year while averaging 19.2 points and 8.4 assists while making 122 3-pointers.
Will Caitlin Clark play in 2025 WNBA All-Star game?
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is being held in Indianapolis, which Clark previously called "really special to do it here in this city." As a captain, Clark picked teammates Aliyah Boston (starter) and Kelsey Mitchell (reserve) to compete against captain Napheesa Collier 's team, but Clark's availability is now in question.
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The All-Star game is scheduled for Saturday, July 19. Clark is also scheduled to participate in the WNBA's 3-point contest.
"It's exciting. I've never participated in a 3-point competition or practiced before, so just go out there and have fun," Clark said on Tuesday in her pregame press conference. "I think the lineup of people competing is tremendous so more than anything, it's going to be great for our league and for women's basketball as a whole."
If Clark is not good to go, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert would name a replacement. Earlier Tuesday, Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride was named an All-Star replacement after a knee injury sidelined Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard (reserve).
Caitlin Clark stats
Here's a look at the 2024 Rookie of the Year's full stats (per game):
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Games played: 12
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Minutes: 31.3
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Points: 16.7
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FG%: 37.4
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3P%: 28.9
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Rebounds: 4.8
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Assists: 9.0
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Steals: 1.7
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Blocks: 0.6
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Turnovers: 5.1
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever All-Star tweaks right groin
