Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will sit out her fourth straight recreation due to a left groin damage after the staff dominated her out of Thursday’s matchup in opposition to the Las Vegas Aces.
Earlier than this 12 months, Clark had by no means sat out a recreation in her skilled or faculty profession. Now, she is going to sit her eighth regular-season recreation of the season (ninth total) due to damage. She was beforehand sidelined 5 video games due to a left quad pressure.
Clark additionally sat out the Fever’s 74-59 win over the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup closing (the sport doesn’t rely towards league standings).
“My purpose has all the time been the identical,” Fever coach Stephanie White stated Wednesday. “I do not need this to be one thing that lingers, that we come again too quickly. We need to guarantee that she is 100% able to go and that we put her long-term well being and wellness on the forefront.”
Clark was listed as questionable going into Tuesday’s recreation however dominated out a couple of hours earlier than tipoff. On Monday, White stated Clark was doing noncontact work at apply. The 6-foot guard is averaging 18.2 factors, 8.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 9 video games this season, capturing 39.0% from the sphere and 29.5% from 3, and was just lately named an All-Star starter and captain by advantage of receiving probably the most fan votes.
“She desires to play and he or she’s working to play and he or she has been working to play,” White stated. “And I feel after a couple of days, it is like, ‘OK, we have a bit of little bit of time’ — I feel it is 5 video games earlier than All-Star break — so let’s simply ease her thoughts though she’s antsy and let’s do that the best method and ensure we’re able to go and 100% when she comes again.”
Indiana (8-8) kicks off a five-game homestand Thursday, subsequent taking part in the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday after which the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday.