Caitlin Clark injury update: Is Fever guard playing today against Mystics?
Clark will miss the Fever's matchup against the Washington Mystics on Friday, her 12th consecutive absence since suffering the groin injury July 15. Clark, who previously missed time with a left quad and a left groin injury, has been sidelined 20 of the Fever's 33 games this season. Indiana is 8-5 with Clark in the lineup and 10-10 without her on the floor.
Clark's lengthy absence marks uncharted territory for the 2024 Rookie of the Year, who never missed a game during her four years at Iowa or during her rookie campaign with the Fever.
"I've never been through anything like this, which is probably why it's been so hard," Clark said during a Aug. 8 episode of Sue Bird's podcast, "Bird's Eye View." "I've never really dealt with injury. It's probably been a challenge in itself because when I was first feeling pain, I didn't understand it."
Clark isn't the only injury Indiana is navigating. The Fever lost guards Sydney Colson (left ACL tear) and Aari McDonald (broken right foot) to season-ending injuries, further depleting the team's depth at point guard. The Fever signed guard Odyssey Sims to a hardship contract on Sunday and guard Kyra Lambert to a seven-day contract on Thursday.
Here's what we know about Clark's injury status, including a full injury timeline:
Is Caitlin Clark playing Friday? Injury status for Fever-Mystics
Clark (right groin injury) will likely be ruled out of the Fever's matchup against the Washington Mystics on Friday in Indianapolis, which is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) on ESPN. Indiana hasn't announced a timetable for Clark's return. Earlier this week, Fever coach Stephanie White said Clark has resumed running, but hasn't returned to practice just yet, meaning her return won't be anytime soon.
If Clark is ruled out, Friday's game against the Mystics would mark her 21st total absence of the year.
How was Caitlin Clark injured?
Clark suffered a right groin injury in the final minute of the Fever's 85-77 victory over the Sun at TD Garden in Boston on July 15. With 39.1 seconds remaining in the contest, Clark completed a bounce pass to Kelsey Mitchell to put the Fever up 84-75. After the pass, Clark immediately grabbed for her right groin and grimaced as she gingerly walked over and headbutted the stanchion. She did not return to the game.
Caitlin Clark injury timeline
Caitlin Clark stats
Clark is averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and a career-high 8.8 assists in 13 games this season. Her assists average is the second-highest in the league, behind Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas (9.0).
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