Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark released some news that no one saw coming, but is not unexpected.
After a dominating rookie campaign in 2024, the former Iowa turned Indiana Fever superstar has struggled to stay on the court this season.
During the 2024 season, Clark was named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year after the Fever selected her with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
She was also selected to the All-WNBA First Team, the first for a rookie since 2008.
Clark shattered numerous Indiana and WNBA records during her first year in the league, and she and the Fever had high expectations heading into her second year in the league.
Caitlin was an iron woman on the court, playing in every competitive basketball game at Dowling Catholic High School and Iowa since her sophomore year of high school.
This season, the injury bug bit Clark early in the preseason, and she was never able to fully recover as the season progressed. After suffering a myriad of injuries, Clark has managed to play in only 13 games this season.
After suffering her most recent injury (right groin strain) during a July 15 game against the Connecticut Sun, she has not returned to the court.
She also suffered a bone bruise during her rehab, pushing back her timeline for recovery.
On Thursday night, Clark announced what everyone had feared for sometime: she will not be returning this season.
I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season. I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling. I want to thank everyone who had my back… pic.twitter.com/paD5sEYG1q
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) September 5, 2025
In a heartfelt post on X, Clark thanked everyone who has supported her during this difficult process, but announced she will be out for the remainder of the season.
She stated she worked hard in the gym to get back, and is disappointed she cannot return this season.
Clark mentioned she is proud of how her teammates have played this season during her absence, and they now must turn their focus to locking up a playoff spot.
Without Clark on the squad for the playoff push, the season and playoff outlook looks bleak for the Indiana Fever.