Coach Stephanie White Admits Mistake in Managing Clark’s Return
We’re just past midseason, and frustration among fans is reaching a boiling point. Why? Because Caitlin Clark, arguably the face of the WNBA, has missed more games than she’s played — 14 missed to just 13 played. She’s skipped major events like the Commissioner’s Cup and the All-Star 3-point contest due to a string of injuries, raising questions about how she’s being managed.
What’s shocking is this: Clark previously played 139 games across four seasons at Iowa and 42 games into her pro career without injury. Suddenly, she’s sidelined with groin and quad issues that are dragging on much longer than expected. So what changed?
It all started when Caitlin Clark suffered a left groin injury on June 26. She was listed day-to-day, but that didn’t change until July 8, when she and Coach Stephanie White said she’d likely return for the July 9 game. Caitlin Clark did return and played four games, but her performance made it clear she wasn’t fully back. She shot just 6-of-26 from three-point range in that span.
That was just the tip of the iceberg. Before that, a quad injury had already forced her to miss five games. For the season, her shooting stats have plummeted: 36.7% from the field and a dismal 27.9% from beyond the arc. And On the road, a shocking 2-for-35 from downtown.
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Coach Admits Mistake in Caitlin Clark’s Recovery Plan
According to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, White now acknowledges the return plan may have been flawed. As Rowe reported, White said they’ll be “even more cautious in their approach this time.” Rowe also revealed Clark had “not received adequate ramp time” during her previous return from injury.
Legendary WNBA star Lisa Leslie chimed in, showing empathy for Clark while explaining just how hard groin injuries are to treat. “That injury lingers. No matter how much medicine you take, one wrong move and it’s back,” Leslie said, pointing out that rest is vital. And something Caitlin Clark can’t afford midseason.
To White’s credit, she’s consistently said they won’t rush Caitlin Clark back. “We’re going to be smart and play the long game,” she previously stated. And with no additional injuries found in Clark’s latest evaluation, the team is now focused on long-term healing.
“Clark will continue working with the medical team… with the priority on her long-term health and well-being,” the Fever said in a recent update.
What’s Next for Clark and the Fever
Right now, there’s no firm return date for Clark. But the message from the coaching staff is clear: caution first. And that might be best for everyone — especially Clark, who recently admitted, “This is the first time I haven’t felt like a young body that can sprint every day.”
Her teammate Sophie Cunningham also weighed in: “If we have Caitlin, great. If we don’t, we know how to play without her. That’s just so important.”
So, was the Fever’s coaching staff too reckless? Or is this just the nature of a tough injury in a tough league? Fans have their opinions. What’s yours?
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