Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark stated she expects to return to motion on Wednesday in opposition to the Golden State Valkyries after lacking the previous 5 video games with a left groin harm.
Clark participated within the 5-on-5 portion of follow on Monday for the primary time since she suffered the harm on June 24 — a vital step in her getting cleared to return. Barring any setbacks over the subsequent 24 hours, she’ll be obtainable to play.
“It is good to get again on the market and get again into the stream of taking part in with my teammates once more,” Clark instructed reporters at follow Tuesday. “It should be enjoyable to get again on the market hopefully and simply really feel issues once more.
“It is clearly laborious sitting out and expecting just a few weeks, so I am excited to get on the market.”
Whereas Clark was out, the Fever went 3-2, together with a victory in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx within the championship recreation of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
It was Clark’s second harm of the season, as she has missed 10 of the Fever’s 18 video games this season. She additionally missed 5 video games final month as a result of a left quad harm.
Clark, who has expressed her dislike for minutes restrictions, stated she would not know what her workload will likely be in opposition to the Valkyries on Wednesday.
“I hope to play a good quantity — within the higher 20s. I suppose it depends upon how the sport goes and the way I really feel and what the workforce wants,” Clark stated. “However I really feel fairly good. However I will attempt to not overdo it and put myself in an excellent place shifting ahead.”
Clark had 32 factors in 31 minutes in opposition to the New York Liberty when she returned from her quad harm on June 14. She cooled over the subsequent 4 video games, nonetheless, averaging 14 factors per contest.
For the season, Clark is averaging 18.2 factors, 5.0 rebounds and eight.9 assists.
Her return comes with 5 video games remaining till the All-Star break, with that recreation to be performed in Indianapolis with Clark serving as a workforce captain. She and Napheesa Collier, the opposite captain, will make their workforce choices on Tuesday night time.