Is Caitlin Clark playing for the Indiana Fever tonight? WNBA superstar's injury latest ahead of LA Sparks
By JAKE NISSE,
Caitlin Clark has had an injury-riddled sophomore season in the WNBA, and she's set to miss another game on Tuesday for the Fever.
The reigning Rookie of the Year has been sidelined by injuries to both of her groins as well as a left quad issue, and last played on July 15 against the Sun.
In that game, Clark injured her right groin in the final moments of her team's 85-77 win over Connecticut - leaving her holding back tears.
The injury, which occurred with just 39.1 seconds left in the contest, unfortunately ruled her out of the All-Star Game, which she was set to captain at the Fever's home Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
She has missed seven consecutive games heading into the Fever's clash with the Sparks on Tuesday night.
With the Fever seeking their sixth win in a row, here's what is known about her availability.
WNBA star Caitlin Clark was seen holding back tears after getting injured again on July 15
She has appeared in less than half of the Indiana Fever's games this season
Is Caitlin Clark playing against the Sparks?
While Fever coach Stephanie White has said that the guard's recovery is 'going well,' she has been ruled out yet again ahead of the game.
With Clark struggling to stay healthy this season, the Fever are seemingly taking a cautious approach and have not provided a timeline for when she'll be back.
'I know she wants to be out here on the floor, and we want her out on the floor, but making sure she's ready is the most important thing,' White said over the weekend.
'I still don't know how far we are. We're going to take it one step at a time and one day at a time and go from there.'
Tuesday's game will tip off at 10pm ET from LA.
How many games has Clark missed this season?
While Clark was extremely durable in her rookie season and during her college career at Iowa, Tuesday's absence will mark the 17th regular season game she's missed this year.
Clark's injury troubles began when she missed the Fever's preseason opener due to left quad tightness.
Clark was first ruled out of action in May after injuring her left quad against the Liberty
She has played below her best this season as she's struggled to stay healthy
She then suited up in the first four games of the season before being sidelined by a left quad sprain, which she suffered on May 24 against the Liberty.
After missing five games with that ailment, she suffered a left groin injury on June 24 - just five games into her return - and missed another four games.
She returned to the court on July 9 before suffering her latest injury against Connecticut.
How has Clark performed this season?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Clark has played below her best this season as she's battled health issues.
Her points (16.5 per contest), rebounds (5.7), field goal percentage (36.7) and three-point percentage (27.9) are all down from her rookie season.
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In the four games prior to her right groin injury (after returning from a left groin issue), she was particularly ineffective by her own standards, scoring just 12.5 points per contest to go along with 8.7 assists per night.
She averaged just 25.9 minutes in those contests as the Fever staff tried to ease her back.
What is the Fever's record without Clark?
The Fever have had to adjust to life without Clark for long stretches this season - and they've actually fared pretty well without her.
In 16 games this season with Clark sidelined, Indiana has gone 9-7 with the help of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.
The Fever have gone 8-5 in games which Clark has played this year.
Indiana struggled earlier in the season to get results without Clark, losing four of six such games, but have won five consecutive games heading into Tuesday night.
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