WNBA star Caitlin Clark opens up about ‘mental challenge’ brought on by string of injuries

Caitlin Clark was a late scratch when the Indiana Fever hosted the Portland Fire on Wednesday, marking her first missed game of the season.

Indiana managed to beat the Fire 90-73, but Clark’s absence raised concerns about whether he would be available for Friday’s game against the Golden State Valkyries. However, these concerns were short-lived as Clark returned to the starting lineup and scored 22 points to help Indiana earn its third straight win.

Clark admitted that the recovery process tested him mentally as well as physically.

“I think at the end of the day it’s about me and my confidence,” he told reporters Friday. “Coming back from injury and having a lot of soft tissue injuries [in 2025] It’s a real mental challenge.”

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Clark’s promising start to her WNBA career was disrupted by injuries in 2025. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, who played in 40 games and won the Rookie of the Year award in 2024, could only play in 13 games last season due to a groin strain and a bruised ankle.

Clark added that his confidence can fluctuate at times, especially as he works out early in the season. “These are the best players in the world and if I don’t have 100% confidence in my body in the 5th game of the year, I don’t know if it’s really worth it in this scenario,” he said.

Clark logged 32 minutes in Friday’s win over Golden State and added nine assists to his stat line, coming just short of a double-double.

He also acknowledged the difference in physical demands compared to off-season competition.

“Yes, I played USA Basketball [this offseason]Clark said postgame: “But I didn’t play super physical for 32 minutes. That’s the difference for me right now, but I feel great. I think a lot of times for me it’s understanding how my body feels the next day and understanding that a little bit better. Obviously your adrenaline is up, you don’t always know right after the game. … I feel good overall. I just continue to take care of my body.”

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark lies on the court with an injury during the first half of a WNBA game against the Atlanta Dream on August 26, 2024 in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP)

The Fever and Valkyries will switch venues when they meet again in San Francisco on Thursday.

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Clark said he is still learning to show kindness to himself as he manages the mental aspect of returning from injury.

“I think there are moments where I’m a little confused, and that’s understandable,” he said. “I need to show myself some kindness. I need people to show me some kindness too. When you’ve been through so much, it’s a little traumatic.”

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark sits on the bench after being removed from the game due to a possible injury in the second half against the Connecticut Sun at TD Garden on July 15, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

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Clark said he did not expect the back pain to become a long-term issue, adding that he was “doing everything I could to put myself in the best position I could in terms of recovery and play the next game.”

Off the field, Clark revealed the cover art for her upcoming children’s picture book, “EXTRAORDINARY! A LITTLE EXTRA TO Achieve BIG Dreams.”

The book, scheduled to be released in November, is inspired by Clark’s life; “Like a few others,” Clark said.

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