Caitlin Clarkâs season is back on hold.
The WNBA superstar will miss Thursdayâs game against the Los Angeles Sparks with a left groin injury, the Indiana Fever announced on X (formerly Twitter).
Clark, 23, missed five games earlier this year with a quad strain before returning to action June 14.
In her first game back, Clark scored a season-high 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting (7-of-14 from 3) and added eight rebounds and nine assists in a 102-88 victory over the New York Liberty. But she has uncharacteristically struggled since then, averaging just 14 points over the last four games while shooting 5-of-27 from deep.
The Fever are 7-7.
Caitlin Clark Has Struggled Shooting
The Fever went 3-2 during Clarkâs absence from May 28 to June 10.
Clark also missed the Feverâs preseason opener on May 3 with a left leg injury, which was unrelated to the quad issue.
The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 39% (29.5% from 3). She is tied for third in the WNBA with 2.6 3-pointers per game, behind Atlantaâs Rhyne Howard (3.2) and Minnesotaâs Kayla McBride (2.7).
While Clarkâs overall numbers are strikingly similar to last season, she’s currently in a rut. In her last three games, Clark has connected on 13-of-47 field goals (27.7%) and just 1-of-23 attempts from beyond the arc. In Tuesdayâs 94-86 victory over the Seattle Storm, she managed just six points, her second-fewest since coming into the WNBA.
Indiana Fever Down to Nine Healthy Players
Itâs not clear when Clark sustained her injury, though she did fall awkwardly late in Tuesdayâs win. It is unclear when she will return.
Clarkâs injury leaves the Fever with only nine healthy players. Veteran forward DeWanna Bonner was released Wednesday after leaving the team for personal reasons. Bonner, who averaged 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in nine games this season, had been away from the team since June 12.
Indiana signed guard Aari McDonald through the remainder of the season to replace Bonner. McDonald averaged 11 points in three games with Indiana earlier this season.
âIâm so excited to rejoin the Fever,â McDonald said in a statement. âAlthough my time with the team (earlier this season) was brief, it immediately felt like the place to be. Iâm grateful for the warm welcome from the coaches, teammates, and fans â and most of all, I thank God for the incredible journey Iâm on.â
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