Fever fans buzzing after first look at Caitlin Clark back at practice
As Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark works to return from a left quad strain, her return to the practice court has fans clamoring. Expected to miss multiple games, the reigning Rookie of the Year has called said prognosis into question as only she can.
Burying threes and rising up with little restraint, Clark has fans pondering if she could defy the odds to return far sooner than anyone expected her to.
The Fever revealed on Monday, May 26 that Clark would miss "at least" two weeks with a left quad strain. While diagnosed as a new injury, it's reminiscent of the lingering issue with her left quadricep that impacted her availability during training camp and the preseason.
In a video posted by Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files, it was revealed that Clark may be closer to putting the issue behind her than previously presumed.
Making a full recovery is the top priority, but the fact that Clark is already getting back into a rhythm as a shooter is a promising sign.
Caitlin Clark is already draining 3s on the practice court after quad injury
Clark's second WNBA season is off to a mesmerizing start. She's posted three games with at least 10 assists, two with upward of 20 points, and even tallied a triple-double during the season opener, adding four blocks and two steals in that dominant display for good measure.
That's amounted to Clark averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.0 block, and 2.8 three-point field goals made through Indiana's first four games.
Unfortunately, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft is due to miss a game for the first time in her combined WNBA and NCAA careers. It's mind-blowing that it's taken this long for such to transpire, but agonizing nonetheless for Clark to experience.
The upside, however, is that she's already getting shots up and enabling herself to avoid a full-on coast of rust from engulfing her once she returns to game action.
Based on the projection of a two-week absence, Clark is likely to miss Indiana's next five games. She could return in time, however, for the Fever's June 14 encounter with the New York Liberty—a game during which she'll likely be seeking revenge.
Clark posted 18 points and 10 assists during a May 24 clash with the Liberty, but committed a costly 10 turnovers during a brutal 90-88 loss.
In the meantime, the Fever will fight to avoid a dip below the .500 line. They're 2-2 through four games, and have clashes with the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, Chicago Sky, and Atlanta Dream looming. They'll face the Mystics in Washington on May 28 and then host them on June 3.
Indiana is in for a challenging five-game stretch, but Clark's early return to the practice court represents the light at the end of the tunnel.