Caitlin Clark opens up about 'mental challenge' injuries have posed
Caitlin Clark's injuries have been a frequent talking point the last two years. It's taking a toll.
Injuries are taking a toll on Caitlin Clark. And not just physically. The Indiana Fever star opened up about her health issues the last two seasons before Friday's game against the Golden State Valkyries , admitting the extent to which it's affected her.
"I think, at the end of the day, it's me and my confidence," Clark said, per ESPN . "Coming back from injury and having however many soft tissue injuries [in 2025] is a real mental challenge. " Clark missed 31 games with those various soft tissue injuries last year and is embroiled in an injury report controversy this season.
The Fever failed to put Clark on their injury report before she sat Wednesday's game against the Portland Fire, drawing an apparent warning from the WNBA and plenty of outrage from fans who think she's on some sort of load management plan . Fever coach Stephanie White was puzzled by the warning, insisting to reporters , "We did things the right way. " She also says Clark is not load managing .
Clark, who's dealing with back soreness , wants to ensure she's not rushing back and worsening the situation like last season, when she missed Indiana's playoff run due to injury. It's easier said than done, and Clark is asking for grace along the way. "I think there's moments where maybe I get in my head a little bit, and that's understandable," Clark said.