Caitlin Clark ankle injury update: WNBA star returns to bench, available to play

A scary moment occurred during Monday’s game between the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever, with Caitlin Clark heading back to the locker room due to an injury. Clark seemingly hurt her left ankle, tripping on the floor while playing on the defensive end. The ESPN broadcast said Clark felt discomfort in the area during pregame shootaround but still decided to play.

ESPN’s Holly Rowe has since provided an update on Clark as she returned to the Indiana bench. Luckily, she has not been ruled out of the game and should be set to return at some point.

“Caitlin Clark can return to this game,” Rowe said late in the second quarter. “You saw her just pop off the bench and get that pass as it rolled out of bounds. She has really been tightening her shoe. I saw her give a big exhale on the bench and then I did see her kind of mutter to herself. She’s frustrated that just happened. But it looks like she will return.”

The game has since gone to halftime with Clark playing in just 11 minutes. She does have eight points on two of six shooting, with both of her makes being from the three-point line. Not the best start from the recent No. 1 overall pick as Clark looks to bounce back positively in the second half.

Hopefully, the ankle will hold up and there will not be any more problems for Clark. It’s just the fourth game of the WNBA season and the second Clark has played in front of the Indianapolis home crowd.

More on Caitlin Clark, start to WNBA career

The last few weeks have moved quite quickly from Clark. After making an NCAA Tournament run with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark was picked No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft. Not too long after, she was making his debut for the Indiana Fever on May 14.

Heading into Monday night, Clark is averaging 17 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Indiana is still searching for its first win of the season too, hoping they can take down the Sun.

Clark will continue to be the top storyline in the WNBA, barring an injury setback. She has brought a whole new hype to the league and is growing attendance across the country. Hopefully, some wins begin to stack up too as the season progresses along through the summer.