Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will miss not less than two weeks after straining her left quadriceps throughout Saturday’s 90-88 loss to the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty.
Coach Stephanie White advised reporters Monday she wasn’t positive precisely when Clark was injured however was advised after the sport she had “one thing happening together with her leg.” An MRI confirmed the analysis. Clark’s absence might wind up being a giant blow for one of many league’s title favorites.
“Clearly, she needs to play and, clearly, everybody needs to see her play,” White stated following Monday’s apply. “However for me, it’s about sustaining perspective. It’s ensuring that we handle this that doesn’t have an effect on the long run, that we maintain it and don’t overpush, don’t overexert.”
Clark was not seen together with her teammates on the finish of apply and was not obtainable for remark. Crew officers stated further updates shall be supplied as circumstances warrant.
It’s the primary time in Clark’s profession she’s missed a recreation after enjoying in all 40 video games and each playoff video games final season and the primary 4 video games this yr. She did miss Indiana’s first preseason recreation this yr with a leg harm.
Final season’s WNBA rookie of the yr completed with 18 factors and 10 assists Saturday however misplaced the ball on Indiana’s ultimate possession as she tried to take a 3-pointer that might have received the sport within the waning seconds.
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Afterward, White complained that New York was not referred to as for a foul. Clark is averaging 19.0 factors, 9.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds this season because the Fever have opened with a 2-2 mark. Indiana returns to motion Wednesday at Washington and Clark is anticipated to overlook that recreation in addition to dwelling contests towards Connecticut and Washington and Indiana’s rematch at Chicago on June 7 towards Clark’s rival, Angel Reese.
The league’s prime drawing participant might miss further time, however the Fever appear extra able to successful with out Clark this season after utilizing the offseason to usher in a big group of veteran gamers with championship expertise.
It’s unclear simply how the Fever will attempt to substitute Clark’s play-making capability.
“Typically nice gamers don’t let you know after they’re hurting,” White stated. “I’m glad that she did as a result of we have to nip this within the bud.”
Clark set a single-season league document final season with 337 assists after main the Iowa Hawkeyes to back-to-back nationwide runner-up finishes in school.