Caitlin Clark reassured fans that she is feeling fine after a brief injury scare during the Indiana Fever preseason matchup against the Dallas Wings on Thursday night.
The game marked Clark’s return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time since July 2025, after her second season was limited to just 13 appearances due to multiple soft-tissue injuries.
The moment of concern came in the third quarter. While attempting a three-point shot, Clark was fouled by Wings forward Alanna Smith, who did not give her enough space to land safely. Clark came down awkwardly on Smith’s foot, sending both players to the floor.
Although Clark was able to stand up, she was visibly limping, causing a brief pause in play as officials reviewed the sequence. The foul was later upgraded to a Flagrant 1. Clark converted two of her three free throws before being taken out of the game and not returning.
After the game, Clark downplayed the incident, explaining that the discomfort came from landing hard on her knee.
“I feel good… just landed on my kneecap pretty hard,” she said.
Head coach Stephanie White also confirmed there was no need for further medical evaluation. She noted that Clark’s early exit had already been planned as part of her preseason workload management.
“We intended to limit her minutes anyway,” White said. “Taking her out then was just an added precaution.”
Looking Ahead
It’s still unclear how much Clark will feature in Indiana’s final preseason game on May 2 against the Nigerian national team. The Fever will open their 2026 regular season on May 9—also against Dallas—just over a week away.
Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
Clark’s previous season was heavily impacted by injuries. Here’s a quick recap:
- May 2025: Dealt with left leg tightness that kept her out of the preseason opener
- May 24, 2025: Suffered a left quadriceps injury against the New York Liberty, missing five games
- June 24, 2025: Picked up a left groin injury vs. the Seattle Storm, sidelined for four games
- July 15, 2025: Injured her right groin late in a win over the Connecticut Sun—her final game of the season
- August 2025: Reportedly suffered a minor ankle bone bruise during an individual workout
Despite last year’s setbacks, Clark’s latest update suggests she has avoided another serious injury—an encouraging sign for Indiana as the new season approaches.
