INDIANAPOLIS — New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu is no stranger to injury setbacks, and she’s doing her best to support fellow guard Caitlin Clark as she faces a similar battle. Just days before the WNBA All-Star Weekend festivities in Indianapolis, Clark tweaked her right groin in the Fever’s win over the Connecticut Sun. Not long after, she officially withdrew from the 3-Point Contest and the All-Star Game.
“We’re close, and I’ve been able to talk to her throughout all of this,” Ionescu shared. “I went through similar stuff early in my career. I didn’t play my rookie year because of injury, and then my second year was full of soft tissue problems. Looking back, it turned out to be a blessing because it forced me to learn and grow. That’s what I’m trying to help her understand this is part of the journey, and figuring out what your body needs is key.”
Clark’s current groin issue is her third lower-body soft tissue injury of the season. Back in May, she strained her left quad and sat out five games. In June, she sustained a left groin injury that kept her out of five more games, including the Commissioner’s Cup final. With her latest injury, she’s now missed 10 of Indiana’s 23 games this season.
While Clark has had some standout moments, her stats reflect the physical toll: 16.5 points, five rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game, but with shooting percentages of just 36.7% from the field and 27.9% from three including a rough 2-for-35 from long range on the road.
Despite that, the Fever perform better when she plays boasting an 8-5 record with her, compared to 4-6 without. Her presence continues to energize the team and city. Though sidelined this weekend, Clark remains a central figure, making appearances around town and serving as assistant coach for Team Clark in the All-Star Game.
“It’s unfortunate she can’t play,” Ionescu said, “but Caitlin’s impact goes way beyond the court. You can feel the buzz here in Indy whether she’s playing or not.”
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