July 16, 2025 – Indianapolis / New York — Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark exited her team’s 85–77 win over the Connecticut Sun after re-aggravating a groin injury, raising doubts about her participation in Wednesday’s match and the highly anticipated WNBA All-Star weekend in her hosting city .
Incident & Injury Timeline
- Late in the fourth quarter, Clark clutched her right groin after completing an assist and wounded her head against the backboard in frustration.
- She was absent from Wednesday’s road game against the New York Liberty—marking her 11th missed game this season due to a combination of quad and groin issues.
- Fever coach Stephanie White confirmed that further imaging was conducted but no final decision had been made regarding Clark’s availability for the 3-Point Contest Friday and All-Star Game Saturday.
Emotional & Physical Toll
- Sources report Clark held back tears upon exiting—revealing the toll of recurring setbacks.
- This marks her fourth significant lower-body injury this season, each requiring at least short-term rest—quad strain in May, followed by two separate groin incidents.
- Clark’s confrontational exchange with a referee during the same game sparked headlines, but her immediate medical departure underscored the deeper issue: her body struggling under relentless season physicality .
What Lies Ahead
| Event | Status |
|---|---|
| All-Star Weekend | Entry in 3-Point Contest and Game is uncertain pending evaluation. |
| Fever vs. Liberty | Already ruled out from Wednesday’s game—recovery progress over next few days is critical . |
| Season Impact | The team is .500 with her absent; her presence boosts attendance and performance—yet risk of reinjury may warrant caution . |
In summary: After yet another groin setback, Caitlin Clark’s stunning early season has taken a frustrating detour just ahead of All-Star festivities in her home city. The Fever face a decisive few days as they weigh her long-term health against huge event spotlight.
Information from NBC Sports’ injury report, CNN’s coverage of her exit, Reuters’ game status update, CBS Sports’ roster notice, People.com’s emotional account, The Sun’s team statement, and SI’s All-Star analysis was used in this article.
