The injury that sidelined Caitlin Clark and its impact on the WNBA
On July 15, during the game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, Caitlin Clark had to leave the court in tears, clutching her groin.
The injury kept her out of the anticipated All-Star Game and the three-point contest held in her own arena.
Legend Lisa Leslie warned from the start that a soft tissue injury in that area would not heal quickly.
“You can feel like it never went away. You make a move, a cut, and bam! It hurts again,” Leslie explained, emphasizing the need for rest and extended recovery.
With an eight-month break, Caitlin Clark recovery plan could be enough to regain strength and precision, provided it is paired with proper preseason training.
Amber Cox, general manager of the Fever, assures that the team will have Clark “at full capacity for the 2026 season,” but notes that an intermediate step may be necessary to maintain her competitive rhythm.
Unrivaled: the strategy to keep Clark in shape
Before her official return, Caitlin Clark focused on individual workouts, but exposure to real-game contact is key to evaluating her endurance.
Head coach Stephanie White stresses the importance of facing high-intensity scenarios that simulate real gameplay: “I want to see her withstand contact and maintain performance under fatigue,” she said.
Unrivaled could provide the perfect setting. With a small roster and a fast pace, the 3×3 league allows Clark to engage in both offense and defense, refine off-ball movements, and strengthen her physical endurance.
Additionally, recent statistics show that 91% of players participating in this league improved in at least one WNBA statistical category, a potential boost just before the start of the season.
