The Indiana Fever's season is over, and this year was marked by the surprising and unexpected absence of Caitlin Clark, who missed more than 30 games due to a series of injuries that began in the preseason. During her exit interview Thursday, October 2, Clark revealed a distressing truth about her experience this season: she always believed she would be back on the court.
Clark initially missed a preseason game due to tightness in her left leg, and then missed five games due to a left quadriceps injury announced in May. Throughout the season she suffered a left groin injury followed by an injury to her right groin, but ultimately, it was an ankle injury that finally put an end to any hope she'd return to the court in 2025.
Clark explained the ankle injury prevented her from exploring her well her groin was healed. She said she was participating in her second full-court workout following the right groin injury when "my ankle completely rolled all the way forward," which resulted in "probably one of the worst sprains I've deal with."
Her focus shifted to trying to keep her spirits high, she added, but Clark never gave up on the possibility that she would return to the floor — and neither did Indiana's fans, until they were forced to. She spent time "building ... trying to get healthy, and trying to kind of just get back to 100%."
Contrary to popular belief at the time, the right groin injury wasn't necessarily a season-ender. "There was no decision of like, 'This is the end of my season,'" Clark continued. "I had full intention of returning, and I think in a way, that was probably positive for me, because that's how I approached every single day."
Had she believed she wouldn't come back at all, "it would have been even more devastating and crushing knowing that I was never going to be able to put my uniform back on for the rest of the season." Ultimately, Clark concluded, she's proud of the way she handled the unexpected delay.
Clark did not elaborate on any offseason plans. There are hopes she will join the second season of Unrivaled, an idea that was sparked after the 3x3 league announced they are still holding conversations with two players ahead of next year. Many fans are hoping Clark is one of those two (other possible candidates include Angel Reese, who played during the the first season, and A'ja Wilson).