Caitlin Clark Shares Painful Details Before Indiana Fever Return

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 12:39 PM ET

Caitlin Clark is back for the Indiana Fever after missing five straight games, including their WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship, with a left groin injury.

Before Clark's return against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, she opened up about exactly how difficult it was to miss games for just the second time in her career — the first being her quad injury earlier this season.

"It's honestly been hard, I'm not going to lie to you," Clark told reporters before the early tip-off against the Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday. "It's difficult going to prepare for games but knowing you're not going to be playing in them."

Despite her long list of accomplishments in her young career, Clark admitted that she had to stop the doubts from creeping in during her rehab.

"Just reminding myself of my abilities and what I've been able to do in this league even though I've been sitting out," Clark revealed.

Since being taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout has left no doubt in fans' minds about what she can do in the league.

Averaging 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.9 assists in her nine games played this season, Clark made her second straight WNBA All-Star Game and broke the record for most fan votes in the process.

"It's really hard to stop and go, especially when you're not feeling your best," she added. "I'm trying to get my body as healthy as I can be and remain confident in myself and then do everything I can once I step back out on the court to help us win."

Caitlin Clark on how she preparing differently for games, and how sitting out has been a mental and physical challenge.

Full pregame presser: https://t.co/j4ofhBEonX pic.twitter.com/gFAnWBEEjX
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 9, 2025

She finally gets her chance to contribute to a win against a Valkyries team that includes her teammate from Iowa, Kate Martin, and a member of her WNBA All-Star team for this year, Kayla Thornton.

Golden State beat Indiana 88-77 at home in their first meeting, holding Clark to 11 points on 3-for-14 shooting. On five separate occasions this season, the Fever have beaten a team in their second matchup after losing the first one.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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