Caitlin Clark is no stranger to success—but this season, she’s stepping into territory that feels completely new. The Indiana Fever rookie revealed on Sue Bird’s Bird’s Eye View podcast that navigating repeated soft-tissue injuries hasn’t been easy. “Obviously there are really frustrating days, and there are days where… you’re very, very motivated, and… you’re right close to the finish line of getting back and being back,” she said, her words echoing through the WNBA world. “It’s not like I have a training camp to build up… you’re tossed into game 30… go try to play well… it’s hard.”

Clark also admitted the mental side has tripped her up too. “I’ve never been through anything like this. … I think that’s probably why it’s been so hard because… I’ve never really dealt with injury… when I first… was feeling pain… I didn’t understand it.” She added that learning her body through rehab has been equally valuable.
Through 9 of the 18 games she’s missed, the Fever sit at a .500 record—9-9 overall—showing that the team can grind even without their rookie star. Yet ESPN analyst Carolyn Peck warned fans not to read too much into their results, noting that Caitlin Clark’s absence makes the offense more unpredictable and defenses less focused.

For a star who brought the lights back to the Fever—and to the league—that unpredictable absence stings. But with each rehab milestone, Clark is gaining more than physical strength—she’s building resilience and a deeper understanding of her limits. In the long run, those off-court gains might just shape her best basketball yet.
Fever Stay Hungry Despite Caitlin Clark’s Setbacks—But She’s Learning Too
Caitlin Clark’s absence is felt on the court—but it’s made its mark on her growth off it too. “I think that’s been the hardest part, the stop-and-go of everything,” she said, reflecting on being sidelined with her third soft-tissue injury in three months. Although she’s missed nine straight games, Clark has leaned into rehab as a learning curve, gaining insight into her body’s needs like never before.

Meanwhile, the Fever have held steady at 9-9—sitting right at .500 without their rookie leader. Some outlets have called the team “more dangerous” without her, pointing to expanded roles for players like Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald. But those wins only highlight how much Clark brings, and how much the team misses her court presence—whether for lowered shooting efficiency or the missing spark in tight windows.
This stretch highlights something deeper: Caitlin Clark isn’t just working to come back—she’s building patience, perspective, and a savvy sense of timing alongside her signature scoring and passing. That combination might define her legacy long after the injuries are behind her.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.