Don’t worry, Caitlin Clark says she’s OK after injury scare in preseason game
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- Indian Fever star Caitlin Clark says she is “good” after an injury scare during a preseason game against the Dallas Wings.
- The game was the first the two-time All Star played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse since July.
Caitlin Clark says she’s “good” after a brief injury scare during a preseason game Thursday.
“I feel good,” the Indiana Fever guard said after the 95-80 loss against the Dallas Wings. “I just landed on my kneecap really hard.”
The two-time All-Star was visibly in pain after being fouled and falling to the floor early in the third quarter. Wings forward Alanna Smith had attempted to block Clark’s three-point shot but did not leave proper space for the shooter to land. It appeared Clark landed on Smith’s foot before both players fell to the floor. Upon review, the referees upgraded the foul to a flagrant-1.
Clark was seen limping on the court before making two of three free throws. She exited the game right after and watched the rest from the bench. Clark scored 21 points in 16 minutes, going four for six from the field and making 11 of 13 free throws.
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“We had planned for her to come out about that time anyway,” Fever coach Stephanie White said after the game, adding that Clark didn’t need additional evaluation. “It was just extra precaution, I think, getting her out in that moment. [But] the plan was for her to start the third quarter and then we get her out quickly.”
As for Clark’s fellow Fever All-Stars, Kelsey Mitchell finished with 10 points in 17 minutes, while Aliyah Boston sat out because of a lower leg injury.
This marked Clark’s first game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse since July after being sidelined for injuries much of last season. The Fever star praised the officiating “on both sides” after addressing concerns about the injury scare.
“The refs did a really good job tonight actually,” Clark said. “I know there was a committee of people that really wanted them to start calling things, and I thought they did a great job of that.”
The matchup marked the preseason debut for this year’s No. 1 WNBA draft pick, Azzi Fudd, who scored four points for the Wings in 16 minutes. Wings All Star and reigning rookie of the year Paige Bueckers led her team with 20 points in 20 minutes on eight-for-12 shooting.
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