Caitlin Clark had an injury scare in the Indiana Fever‘s most recent preseason game, but the Indiana Fever star said she escaped without any lasting issues.
On Thursday night, the Fever hosted the Dallas Wings. It was the first game Clark has played in Gainbridge Fieldhouse since July 2025. A series of soft tissue injuries cut her sophomore season to 13 games. In the third quarter, fans momentarily held their breath after the two-time All-Star got up limping after a foul. Clark attempted a 3-pointer, but Wings forward Alanna Smith didn’t allow her the proper space to land after the shot.
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The Fever guard ultimately came down on her foot, sending her and Smith to the floor. Clark was able to get to her feet, but she had a noticeable limp. Referees reviewed the foul and upgraded it to a flagrant 1. Clark hit two of her three awarded free throws before checking out of the matchup. She did not return to play. Postgame, Clark assured the media she was OK.
“I feel good … just landed on my kneecap really hard,” Clark said.
Indiana coach Stephanie White also vouched for Clark, saying the star didn’t need any extra evaluation. She also explained why Clark was pulled in the third quarter.
“We had planned for her to come out around that time anyway,” White said. “It was just extra precaution, I think, getting her out in that moment, but the plan was for her to start the third quarter, then get her out quickly.”
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It remains to be seen how much Clark will play in the Fever’s final preseason game on May 2 against the Nigerian national team. The beginning of the Fever’s 2026 season is eight days away. Indiana hosts Dallas again on May 9 for its regular-season opener.
Caitlin Clark injury history
Here’s a look back at the injuries from the 2025 season:
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May 24, 2025: Clark suffered a left quad injury during the Fever’s 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Clark couldn’t pinpoint the specific play that caused her injury, but noted that it happened early in the contest. Clark said, “Adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you’re in the heat of battle. After the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn’t want to see.” She missed the Fever’s next five games.
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June 24, 2025: Clark suffered a left groin injury in the Fever’s 94-86 win over the Seattle Storm, which resulted in Clark missing the team’s next four games. Fever coach Stephanie White said she learned of Clark’s groin injury the following night after Clark alerted team trainers of discomfort.
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July 15, 2025: 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. White later confirmed Clark “felt a little something in her groin.” This marked the last game Clark suited up.
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Aug. 7, 2025: Clark reportedly suffered a mild bone bruise in her left ankle during an individual workout session in Phoenix, according to The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever star ‘good’ after scare vs. Wings
