Honestly, the 2025 season has not been Caitlin Clark’s best, especially in comparison to her dynamic rookie year. Right from the beginning, she dealt with quad tightness during preseason. After just a few games, a quadriceps injury kept her out of action for five consecutive matchups. When she returned, she faced another issue with her left groin. Just as it seemed like she was getting back on track, a new setback—a right groin injury—occurred. This kind of physical strain doesn’t just affect the body; it also impacts mental resilience. Hence, it made sense when Coach White mentioned, “From my standpoint, the primary conversations that we’ve had last night and today are just checking in. ‘Are you good? How can we help?’” But she’s not alone in receiving support!
Following Indiana’s recent 77-98 defeat to the New York Liberty in Brooklyn, a heartfelt moment took place as Liberty stars Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Howard approached Clark postgame to embrace her—a simple, touching gesture. Although Clark appeared to be in better spirits than the day before, even signing autographs for fans, concerns linger about her potential absence from the upcoming All-Star Weekend.
Reflecting on the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, Clark chose to skip the NBA’s 3-point contest, not due to lack of skill, but because she aimed for a more significant milestone: debuting at the WNBA All-Star event in Indianapolis before her home crowd, particularly eager to showcase her deep shooting with the much-anticipated 4-point logo shot. Unfortunately, her injury could keep her from participating, causing worries among fans and analysts.
A nice moment: Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud went over to Caitlin Clark and gave her a hug before she left the floor.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) July 17, 2025
After being ruled out against the Liberty, Clark is currently listed as day-to-day. Coach White remains hopeful, but the final decision lies with Caitlin. Notably, the same Liberty team that just defeated Indiana stands by her side, with head coach Sandy Brondello expressing, “You never want to see a player get injured. A player like Caitlin—she’s a great player. At All-Star, I’m excited to get to know her a little bit,” as reported by Myles Ehrlich of Winsidr. This adds a compelling emotional layer to the storyline.
The support for Clark extends beyond the Liberty; the wider WNBA community has embraced her. Fans have voiced their thoughts, suggesting, “I love this! Hopefully, if CC can’t play in the All-Star game, she can at least go in for the first 30 seconds as homage,” reflecting her importance to the event. With her groin injury looming severe, it resonates strongly with players like 8-time WNBA All-Star Lisa Leslie, who highlighted the ongoing struggles related to similar injuries.
Moreover, the historical connection between Clark and Ionescu enhances the narrative. Fans remember that Ionescu herself faced a tough rookie season after an injury, having previously supported Clark before she even reached the WNBA. With Clark choosing Ionescu as a starter for her All-Star team, the bond deepens even further, showcasing the personal and professional ties that enrich their journey in the league.
