Caitlin Clark injury update offers glimpse into return to WNBA

Caitlin Clark spoke to reporters following the Fever's practice Thursday and offered a bit of insight into when fans can hope to see her back on the court. While she admitted she isn't exactly sure when she'll return to the game, Clark noted she will be reevaluated this weekend. She also added that the injury does have a silver lining: Clark has been able to support her teammates in a way she's never had the opportunity to do so before.

Clark also said she realized she was hurt during the team's game against the New York Liberty, but wasn't sure exactly when. According to a tweet from SB Nation's Jacob Rude, Clark felt pain during the game and a subsequent MRI revealed the strain.

The hooper also added that she's putting her effort into being a great teammate. "More than anything, I think just focusing on being a really good teammate. Being there for my teammates, being a voice for them. That’s what I am for them when I’m playing so you have to be that consistent voice," she said.

She also noted that sitting with the coaches has been impactful, something Coach White spoke to ahead of the team's first game without Clark on the court. "It’s taught me a lot. I’ve never been in that position of getting to watch from the bench for an extended period of time," Clark explained.

Clark's injury has had an impact on the Fever

The Fever announced the news of Clark's injury on May 26, and noted at the time the star would be out for a "minimum" of two weeks. That initial time will span four games — two against the Mystics, one against the Sun, and another against the Chicago Sky on Saturday — and the Fever has managed to win of three played so far.

Clark isn't the only member of the team who has gone down with injury of late. Both Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham were injured during the Fever's May 30 game against the Sun, and Cunningham didn't play in the next game against the Mystics.

To help make up for those losses, the Fever signed Aari McDonald to a hardship contract this week. Teams can exercise a hardship contract if they have at least two players who are unable to play for an extended period of time (in this case, the Fever has three). The player who signs a hardship contract gets 75% of the minimum base salary, and perhaps most importantly, another shot at proving their abilities on the court. The contracts are temporary and offer no guarantee that a player will have a permanent spot on a team.

The injury could jeopardize Clark's MVP potential

Clark was touted as one of three players most likely to be named MVP this season before her injury, and it's unclear if she's totally ruled out of contention at this point. One thing is certain: there are still plenty of weeks left in the season, and it's entirely possible Clark could play at a level that keeps her in the MVP conversation. Napheesa Collier and last year's MVP A'ja Wilson (who won the award for the third time) are currently the frontrunners.

Of course, it's not often that MVP goes to a player who has missed a chunk of the season due to injury, but it has happened — Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021 after missing five games with the Connecticut Sun. Teams played 32 games that season, a far cry from this year's 44, which could be something that works to Clark's advantage when she returns.