Major Caitlin Clark injury update finally explains recent struggles

After two big games and wins for the Fever upon Caitlin Clark’s return from a quad injury, the star guard has struggled. She couldn’t find the bottom of the net and turned the ball over a lot. Twice, bad games from Clark, combined with other issues, led to losses to the Golden State Valkyries and Las Vegas Aces. In Seattle, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull were able to make up for Clark’s worst game of the season and secure a win. 

Now, Fever fans finally have a possible explanation for Clark’s struggles. Clark will miss the Fever’s game tonight against the Sparks with a left groin injury. If she has been dealing with that injury for a while already, it would explain her recent struggles. 

It’s been a tough stretch for Clark

After a flamethrower performance against the New York Liberty in her first game back from a lengthy quad injury, Clark cooled down quickly. In the Fever’s last three games, she shot 21.4, 35, and 23.1 percent from the field. She also only made one of her 27 attempts from three and turned the ball over 22 times. It’s been a tough road trip in every aspect of the game. 

Clark’s 3-13 shooting performance against the Seattle Storm was a season-low for Clark, who rarely strings together several bad games. 

While it is unfortunate to see Clark miss another game after just returning from an injury not too long ago, giving her body time to heal and rest is the best thing she can do right now. That may be just what she needs to get back to her normal self. 

The Fever must figure out how to win without Clark (again)

The Fever are finally back in the win column and desperately need to keep that momentum going against the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings. Every win matters for the Fever to separate themselves from the Valkyries, Aces, and Mystics in the playoff race. With a 7-7 record, the Fever currently hold a disappointing eighth seed in the regular-season standings.

A stretch of tough games during Clark’s quad injury is part of the reason. When Clark first went down, the Fever lost consecutive games to the Mystics and Sun. Those were games they should have won and not being able to take care of business without their star player hurt. 

After that, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Lexie Hull stepped up their games and led the Fever to a few wins without Clark. Now that Clark is out again, even if it is just for one game, they must do that again. When Clark is out, the Fever greatly miss her playmaking and shooting. The newly signed Aari McDonald should help with the former issue.