Caitlin Clark doesn’t sit out a game. She just doesn’t. She’s played through sprains, eye pokes, harsh screens, double teams, bad calls, and back-to-backs. Whether in Iowa black and gold or Indiana blue and red, you could always count on seeing No. 22 on the floor.
Until now.
For the first time in 185 games—spanning her four iconic years at Iowa and her WNBA rookie run—Clark will miss a game. Not for rest. Not for load management. But because something finally gave. And if you’ve been watching closely, the signs were always there.
Just a few nights ago, Clark went 0-for-5 from three against the Dream. It was the first time since January 2022 (broke her 140-game streak) that she didn’t hit a single three in a game. That was a red flag and for someone who thrives on long-range firepower, that kind of cold spell felt… off.
Then came the Fever’s tough home loss to the Liberty. A physical, down-to-the-wire, 90-88 game. And apparently, the breaking point.
Enter Scott Agness, an Indiana Fever beat reporter with the update no Fever fan wanted:
“While many are enjoying this holiday week, the Fever got some bad news following Saturday’s close home loss to the Liberty. Caitlin Clark—who’s never missed a college or pro game—is going to be out. At least a couple of weeks. She’ll be re-evaluated after sustaining a left quad strain. A slight tear in her quad.”
And just like that, the puzzle pieces start clicking.
The missed threes. The labored drives. The dip in her trademark burst.
It wasn’t just a slump—it was a signal.
Clark had been nursing that left quad since the spring. In fact, she sat out the Fever’s preseason opener on May 3—ironically, also against the Mystics—to manage it. Indiana still eked out a 79–74 win, without her but the warning light was on.
When head coach Stephanie White was asked whether the injury happened after the Liberty game, her answer was swift: “Yes.”
In fact, according to White, Clark reportedly told the staff she felt pain in her left quad after the game. Further investigation and an MRI revealed a new strain—not a flare-up of the preseason issue, but something different. The team hasn’t disclosed the grade of the strain, which could range from Grade 1 (mild) to Grade 3 (severe). But regardless of severity, the implications are clear: Clark will be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks, with re-evaluation set for June 9.
No timeline. No promises.
That said, a 2-week recovery window suggests it may not be as serious as initially feared. If the team is targeting June 9, there’s reason to believe it’s a manageable tear—something that likely won’t require surgery. Expect to see Clark courtside in a knee brace, with ice, compression, rest, and a lot of ibuprofen in her near future.
But yeah, the streak is over. For the first time since high school, Caitlin Clark won’t be in uniform on game night. And fittingly, her next missed game comes against the Mystics—just like that preseason opener. Only this time, it counts.
How Long Will the Fever Be Without Caitlin Clark?
But let’s be clear on one thing: the Fever need her. Badly.
Clark leads the league in assists at 9.3 per game. She bends defenses, draws doubles, and spaces the floor like few rookies ever have. With her on the court, Indiana boasts an offensive rating of 107.5. Without her? That plummets to 82.2.
May 17, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to receiving a flagrant foul Saturday, May 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky, 93-58.Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-IndyStar via Imagn Images
The Fever are 2–2 heading into a critical stretch:
May 29 at Washington
May 31 vs. Connecticut
June 3 vs. Washington
June 7 at Chicago
In fact, Clark’s reevaluation date—June 9—comes two days after that highly anticipated 3rd showdown with Angel Reese and the Sky.
White, for her part, is taking this as a challenge to showcase Indiana’s depth “This is a test,” White said. A test of adaptability. Of who rises when the star is out.
Last time Clark sat , Sydney Colson filled in, and Sophie Cunningham stepped up to dominate all 3 major scoring categories (21 pts, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists). Expect more of the same now—more Lexie Hull, more Mitchell, maybe even a surprise breakout from the Bench and rookie Makayla Timpson .
But one thing is certain: the WNBA’s brightest light is dimmed—for now. The streak is broken. Caitlin Clark won’t play. And Indiana will have to find a way to shine without her.
The post How Did Caitlin Clark Get Injured? Full Breakdown of Indiana Fever Star’s “New” Injury That Ends Her 185-Game Streak appeared first on EssentiallySports.
