Caitlin Clark’s Injury Struggles Spark Sabrina Ionescu’s Support
Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA with an iron-willed reputation and unmatched durability, never missing a game in college or the early part of her pro career. But the 2025 season has been a turning point, and not in the way fans hoped.
Clark, who played all 139 games at Iowa and started her WNBA career without missing a beat, has been sidelined multiple times due to groin and lower-body injuries. “It’s really hard to stop and go, stop and go,” Clark said recently. “Especially when you’re not feeling your best.”
That mental and physical strain caught the attention of New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who knows the path all too well. In 2021, Ionescu missed almost her entire rookie season after just three games due to a severe ankle injury. She offered heartfelt advice to Clark during the All-Star break:
“Coming back, I had four soft tissue injuries no one knew about. I tried to play through it and didn’t say anything… I told her although it sucks now, you learn your limits and what your body needs,” Ionescu said.
Read More: New York Liberty Dealt with Major Injury Blow
Clark’s Long Road Back: Pain, Pressure, and Perspective
At just 23, Caitlin Clark is experiencing the physical toll of professional basketball earlier than expected. She admitted this season has made her feel “less like a young body that can sprint every day.” That change in self-perception is a wake-up call for any young athlete transitioning to the professional grind.
She’s taking a proactive approach, working closely with sports psychologists, exploring alternative therapies like red-light treatments, dry needling, and hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and listening to her body.
“Being a professional athlete, you really have to take care of both your body and your mind,” Clark told Glamour.
The Fever have not set a return timeline. Head coach Stephanie White declined to comment before Indiana’s loss to the Liberty. The organization is prioritizing full recovery, likely holding Clark out unless she’s at 100%, even with the postseason within reach.
Lessons from Ionescu: Turning Setbacks into Strength
Ionescu reminded Clark and the fans that even elite athletes have to learn how to slow down. Her own comeback involved mental missteps, like rushing her return and absorbing criticism. Now she uses that experience to mentor others.
Like Ionescu, Clark’s elite work ethic and relentless mindset could make this injury chapter just another layer in her growing legend.
As Clark battles to return stronger, the WNBA world watches, waits, and hopes this setback is just a setup for a greater comeback.
Read More: Sabrina Ionescu Reacts After Liberty’s Historic Win
