Fever Outhustled by Valkyries in Caitlin Clark’s Return From Injury

Fever Outhustled by Valkyries in Caitlin Clark’s Return From Injury originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

After missing the previous five games due to a groin injury, Caitlin Clark returned to the court Wednesday afternoon as the Indiana Fever played host to the Golden State Valkyries.

Before this extended absence, Indiana’s superstar guard was battling a slump — shooting a shocking 19.1% from deep in her past four games. The Valkyries in particular gave her trouble recently, holding her to a season-worst shooting performance (3-for-14, 21.4%) on June 19.

But when it comes to returning to form in the first game back from injury, expectation seldom meets reality. The expectation might have been that Clark was going to put on a show, break out of her slump, and lead the Fever to a win at home.

The reality was anything but. Golden State cruised to a 80-61 win and ruined Clark’s return.

Minutes restriction lite

Clark is not a fan of minutes restrictions, and rightly so. However, it’s safe to say that the Fever played it safe by holding her to 25 minutes. Indiana head coach Stephanie White limited Clark’s first-half minutes regardless of any objections. Clark was pulled earlier than usual in the first quarter, and she ended the first half playing only 13 minutes.

Clark seemed to move as did prior to the injury. She was spry and crisp. Indiana pushed the pace in her minutes on the floor. The Fever scored 10 fast-break points as a result, and Clark’s six assists was a contributing factor.

More clamps

Clark was held to 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting (33%) mainly because the Valkyries’ defense once again bottled up the Fever star. Clark struggled to navigate traps when the ball was in her hands. When Clark moved off ball, that didn’t matter. The Valkyries’ defense shut down any off-ball action as well.

To Clark’s credit, she had a strong first quarter as she scored five points and snagged three rebounds, but the Valkyries adjusted, stuck to their game plan defensively and succeeded in taking Clark away.

Time on the bench

For a competitor, it’s tough to be injured during a hot streak. It’s even tougher to be injured during a slump. But during Clark’s absence, she tried to offer support to her teammates despite not being out there with them, and knowing that she is capable of bouncing back when she’s on the court.

“It’s difficult going to prepare for games but knowing you’re not going to be playing in them,” Clark said before the game. “Just reminding myself of my abilities and what I’ve been able to do in this league, even though I’ve been sitting out. Just trying to be a great teammate and a great leader and serve my teammates in that way.”

Clark’s performance Wednesday was pedestrian overall, and the Fever did not have the appropriate energy at times against Golden State.

“The offense, I think for us, it starts on defense, and we struggled scouting report-wise, we struggled personnel,” Clark told reporters afterward. “We struggled to do what the coaches asked of us. And then overall, they just played with more energy and effort. Those are the things that just can't happen. It's every single person on our team. Nobody played well today.”

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.