Caitlin Clark Sidelined by Groin Injury, Misses Fever-Wings Showdown with Paige Bueckers

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will sit out her second consecutive game, missing Friday’s clash against the Dallas Wings due to a nagging groin injury. This marks her seventh absence this season, a tough blow for fans eager to see her face off against 2025 WNBA top pick Paige Bueckers for the first time. The Fever announced the update just hours before tip-off, leaving the team to navigate another game without their dynamic rookie.

Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, has been a force when healthy, recently returning from a quad injury to drop a season-high 32 points against the New York Liberty. She followed that with a 20-point, six-assist performance against the Connecticut Sun, showcasing her flair for the game. But a recent shooting slump has drawn criticism, with Clark managing just 1 of her last 23 three-point attempts, including a 0-for-6 night from beyond the arc in a win over the Seattle Storm.

"Some shots just don’t fall," Clark said earlier this week, acknowledging the frustration but keeping her focus on the bigger picture. The Fever went 2-3 without her earlier this season, and they’ll look to hold strong against a talented Wings squad. Clark’s absence raises questions about the team’s depth and resilience, but her return can’t come soon enough for a squad aiming to make noise in the playoff race.