WNBA fans received the worst news possible Thursday evening when it was confirmed that Caitlin Clark’s short season has come to an early end.
The Indiana Fever superstar, who has not played since July 15, has been ruled out for the remainder of the WNBA season, she announced on social media.
The 2024 No. 1 pick has been limited to just 13 games in her second season in the league after sustaining a lingering groin injury.
‘I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season,’ Clark posted Thursday evening. ‘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.’
The 23-year-old was forced out of the WNBA’s 3-point contest and All-Star game in July – in which she was supposed to take part as a captain – after sustaining an injury to her right groin in the final minute of the Fever’s win over the Connecticut Sun on July 15.
Clark, one of the WNBA’s biggest stars and main attractions, has not returned to the court since.
Caitlin Clark confirmed that she has been ruled out for the remainder of the WNBA season
Clark was left in tears after limping out of Indiana’s win over the Sun on July 15
Earlier in the season, she also missed time with left quad and left groin injuries. She also suffered a bone bruise in her left ankle during a workout in August.
‘I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty,’ Clark posted. ‘This has been incredibly frustrating, but even in the bad, there is good.
‘The way the fans continued to show up for me, and for the Fever, brought me so much joy and important perspective. I am so proud of how this team has only gotten stronger through adversity this year. Now it’s time to close out the season and claim our spot in the Playoffs.’
Just two days earlier, Fever head coach Stephanie White had clung on to a sliver of hope that her star would return before the end of the regular season.
With just one week remaining before the WNBA enters its playoffs, White revealed that Clark was improving but still hasn’t been cleared for contact drills during practice.
Clark participated in full-court drills without defense during a shootaround before the Fever faced the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night.
White told reporters that the second-year guard had been limited to shooting drills and individual work. She said she hopes Clark will return before the end of the season. Indiana entered Tuesday seventh in the standings, battling for a postseason spot.
‘She´s working as hard as she can to make sure that she is coming back or is capable of coming back,’ White said. ‘I think that the long-term viewpoint of her health and wellness is the most important thing.’
The 23-year-old has continued to attend Fever games to support her teammates
Ultimately, it appears time was not on the Fever’s side. Clark finishes her second season in the WNBA averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds.
‘Caitlin has worked so hard throughout this time, doing everything possible to recover and return to the court but, ultimately, time is not on our side,’ Fever COO and GM Amber Cox said.
Clark had never missed a single game throughout her collegiate career with the Iowa Hawkeyes or her first season in the WNBA but her second professional season has now been obliterated by injury.
The confirmation leaves Clark unable to back up her stellar debut season, which saw her claim Rookie of the Year award.
Meanwhile, the Fever now head into the final playoff battle. The franchise remains in contention for one of three postseason spots, grappling with the Golden State Valkyries, Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks.
Indiana has been ravaged by injuries this season with the team also missing guards Aari McDonald (foot), Sydney Colson (knee) and Sophie Cunningham (knee) as well as forward Chloe Bibby (knee), who was ruled out earlier Thursday.
