Caitlin Clark will miss the rest of the Fever’s season because of a right groin injury

INDIANAPOLIS AP Caitlin Clark will miss the rest of the Indiana Fever s season because of a right groin injury I had hoped to share a better update but I will not be returning to play this season Clark reported in a message I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there disappointed isn t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty This has been incredibly frustrating but even in the bad there is good The way the fans continued to show up for me and for the Fever brought me so much pleasure and critical perspective I am so proud of how this band has only gotten stronger through adversity this year Now it s time to close out the season and claim our spot in the playoffs Clark was injured late in a July meeting against the Connecticut Sun and later sustained a bone bruise The former Iowa star averaged points assists and rebounds in games in her second season in the WNBA Caitlin has worked so hard throughout this time doing everything practicable to recover and return to the court but ultimately time is not on our side Fever COO and GM Amber Cox commented in a comment While we will continue working with Caitlin and provide her with every asset we have available there is not enough time left in our season for her to safely return and her long-term soundness and well-being remains our top priority We are looking forward to having her back at full strength to start the season The Rookie of the Year had been trying to get back to help her band reach the postseason for a second straight year She participated in full-court drills without defense during a shootaround before the Fever faced the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night Coach Stephanie White disclosed Thursday at practice that Clark hasn t done much contact work yet Indiana is at the moment in eighth place in the standings games in front of Los Angeles with three games to play Related Articles Why Laver Cup conflict looms over likely Valkyries postseason home competition Valkyries sign another participant to hardship contract Monique Billings return brings resource depth to surging Valkyries Valkyries keep defending champion Liberty in check extend win streak to four Valkyries Veronica Burton more than feel-good story should be recognized as one of WNBA s elite It has been a rough season for Clark who also dealt with injuries to her left quad and left groin This was the first time she s had injury issues She never missed a championship in her collegiate career at Iowa or her first year in the WNBA Minor setback for a MAJOR COMEBACK Rest up get healthy and be YOU NBA star LeBron James reported on social media The Fever have lost five players for the season with injuries now including Clark Fellow guards Sydney Colson knee Aari McDonald foot Sophie Cunningham knee and forward Chloe Bibby knee are also out Clark has helped women s basketball grow in both college and the WNBA The league had record attendance this season even with Clark missing preponderance of the season AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this record AP WNBA https apnews com hub wnba-basketball