Caitlin Clark Injury Update: When Will She Return to the Court?
By Jocelyn Alano January 06, 2026 04:22
In the whirlwind world of women's basketball, few stories have captivated fans quite like Caitlin Clark's. The Indiana Fever guard burst onto the WNBA scene in 2024 as a rookie sensation, shattering records and drawing unprecedented crowds with her logo threes and pinpoint passes. But 2025 brought a harsh reality check: a season derailed by nagging injuries that limited her to just 13 games. Now, as the calendar flips to 2026, the question on every hoops enthusiast's mind is simple when will Clark lace up her sneakers and dominate the court again?
The saga began early in the 2025 campaign. Clark, fresh off a stellar rookie year where she averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game while earning Rookie of the Year honors, entered her sophomore season with sky-high expectations. But misfortune struck in May with a left quad injury that sidelined her for the preseason and the opening weeks. She made her return on June 14, flashing glimpses of her old self, but the reprieve was short-lived. A groin injury crept in soon after, and on July 9, in the final minute of a matchup against the Phoenix Mercury, she aggravated it severely, marking the end of her on-court action for the year.
The Indiana Fever, already navigating a rebuild, felt the void immediately. Without Clark's playmaking wizardry her 8.8 assists per game in those limited 2025 appearances ranked among the league's best the team struggled to find rhythm. Her scoring dipped to 16.5 points per contest, shooting 36.7% from the field and a uncharacteristically low 27.9% from beyond the arc, a far cry from her 2024 efficiency of 41.7% overall and 34.4% on threes. Yet, even in abbreviated form, Clark's impact was undeniable: she notched five double-doubles and one triple-double in those 13 games, underscoring her all-around prowess.
As summer turned to fall, the setbacks compounded. During rehab in August, Clark suffered mild bone bruising, further delaying her progress. On September 4, the Fever made it official: Clark would be shut down for the remainder of the 2025 season to focus on full recovery. "It was a long and tough year of recurring injuries," Clark reflected in a candid interview. "You guys know how that goes." The decision, while disappointing, prioritized long-term health over short-term gains, a prudent move for a 23-year-old star with a decade-plus of potential ahead.
The road back wasn't easy. Clark described the rehabilitation process as grueling, one that forced her to confront the basics of movement. "It was a long process to just get back on the court," she admitted. "Because when you have the groins and the quads and whatever you're dealing with, it's like you don't run for a while. So, like, it's weird, like, learning to run again in a way." Five months sidelined tested her mentally as much as physically. In her October exit interview, she emphasized rebuilding trust in her body: "I think it’s important that you can become confident in your body again and that’s for anybody that goes through injury. That’s probably going to be my main focus is just feeling 100% again and then obviously having that confidence in my body too."
Fast forward to December 2025, and the first signs of Clark's resurgence emerged at USA Basketball's national team training camp at Duke University. Invited as one of 18 elite players including fellow Fever standout Aliyah Boston Clark dove back into competitive drills, marking her first formal basketball activity since July. It was a pivotal step, progressing from 1-on-1 sessions to full 5-on-5 scrimmages. "I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way than to get thrown back out there with the best players in the world," she said, her enthusiasm palpable.
By mid-December, Clark delivered the update fans had been craving. After a workout at the camp, she declared, "I’m at 100%." But she tempered the optimism with realism: "Obviously I need to knock off a little bit of rust and get my lungs back, but my body feels really good. I feel like I’m in a really good spot. So, my main goal is just staying that way." Reflecting on the ordeal, she added a heartfelt note: "My main goal for today was to smile and have fun. You take for granted getting to play basketball... For myself, obviously the year was pretty challenging. I missed being on the court and playing. I would have taken 10 bad games in a row just to be out there playing because that’s how much I love it and how much I love competing with my teammates."
This camp wasn't just rehab; it was a launchpad for bigger ambitions. Clark eyed a spot on the U.S. team for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, saying, "Hopefully I’m on the team for (the World Cup)." Looking further ahead, she set her sights on the 2028 Olympics: "My goal is to be on the Olympic team in 2028. It feels like it's far away, but it's probably way closer than it sounds." Her participation alongside veterans like Brittney Griner and Kelsey Plum signals she's not just recovering she's reloading.
So, when will Clark return to the WNBA court? With the 2026 season tipping off in May, all signs point to a full comeback. The Fever's preseason slate, typically starting in late April, could see her in action sooner, but expect her to be a focal point from opening night. Sources close to the team indicate no lingering concerns, and Clark's own words reinforce that she's primed for a bounce-back year. After all, her career averages 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists over 53 games remind us of the transcendent talent waiting to unleash.
For the Fever, who finished well out of playoff contention in 2025, Clark's return could spark a resurgence. Paired with Boston and under coach Stephanie White who assisted at the USA camp the team has building blocks. But more than stats or standings, Clark's story is one of resilience. From Iowa's college courts, where she amassed over 3,000 points, to WNBA stardom, her journey has inspired millions. As she shakes off the rust, the league braces for the Clark effect once more.
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