“Caitlin Clark!” The name of the Des Moines born resonated throughout the college basketball world as she broke records left and right, giving Lisa Bluder’s squad a national recognition in a way that not even the NBA stars could. But it wasn’t just her Logo-3s and the “where did that come from?” assists that kept her name alive for longer than anyone else. It was her showmanship. Crowds filled up the arena to not just watch but experience the No. 22. But it was her way of interacting with them that sent the electricity roaring for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Whether it was talking to her fans on the sidelines, teasing her opponents, or raising her hands to literally ask the crowd to cheer louder, Caitlin Clark was… is… an experience. And she took all that thunder to the professional grounds.

Clark did not even pick the ball for Indiana, wasn’t even drafted, in fact. But everyone knew she was the first-overall pick soon to be a Fever rookie. From SNL appearances to back-to-back-to-back interviews, what did she not do? And throughout the way, she made more fans, won more hearts, and made her identity a common household name. The Clarkonomics of it all wasn’t even deniable, selling out anything she touched. The same energy converted to her rookie season where she became the reigning WNBA ROTY and ended up top-5 in the MVP race, a feat achieved by no one other than the WNBA great Candace Parker. However, one thing that often got overlooked– her health. 

The NCAA DI’s all-time leading scorer broke over 46 records in her final two seasons as a Hawkeye. Many more as a rookie in the WNBA. And not once did she break her bones. Not even a sprain. Quite literally. Even though she came extremely close to giving former Fever HC Christie Sides a shock when she twisted her ankle but returned just a few minutes later, wrapping the tape around her ankle all by herself. But through the physicality of the league, through the pressure of it all, playing over 35 minutes in every game, something broke. And that’s exactly what came to light once again as a reminder for her.

The official Instagram account of Yahoo Sports posted a collage of the sophomore player comparing her Fever and Iowa days. On the Indiana side, it said, “6 games– total games missed this year” and on the Hawkeyes side, it said, “0 games– total games missed while at Iowa.” The caption took it more in depth, “Caitlin Clark didn’t miss a single game over four years at Iowa or during her rookie season 😳 She’s already sat out 6 games this year due to injury 🤕”

In fact, the last time before this season when Clark missed a game was in November 2017. She was still at Doling Catholic, her high school. And if her high school coach, Kristin Meyer is to be believed, “it about killed” Clark to miss that game because of a “badly sprained ankle,” as she told Christine Brennan currently writing a biography on Caitlin Clark named “On Her Game.”

As for her injuries as a Fever point guard, here’s what happened:

• The left quad strain: The very first time Clark missed a game, albeit just a preseason matchup, was against the Washington Mystics. The reigning league ROTY could be seen riding a bike in the following exhibition game at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena as well.

• The second left quad strain: Noting that this injury was not the same as the preseason strain, Clark, after Fever’s first seasonal matchup against the New York Liberty, was diagnosed with a left quad strain. The point guard had to sit out for five games to recover after an MRI.

• The left groin injury: In Indiana’s win over the Seattle Storm, Clark stumbled in the final 12 seconds of the game. While it was first thought to be an ankle twice as she walked off the floor just fine, after an MRI, it was clarified as a left groin sprain. So far, she had to miss the matchup against the LA Sparks where the team found itself on the losing end. She is currently on the day-to-day injury list despite being on active status to play the Dallas Wings.

In all, she has missed 6 games if not counting the preseason matchup. But there’s a big possibility that HC Stephanie White asks her to remain on the bench tomorrow again. Otherwise, she will be again on limited minutes like she has been since her return where she rained 7 threes to hand the Liberty their very first loss of the season. Moreover, with Aari McDonald re-signed after DeWanna Bonner’s departure, it is more likely that White will avoid stressing her star guard.

Unfortunately, most of these injuries this season have happened after Clark has visibly put on some muscles. Stephanie White described the entire process for her workout that included time under tension, to build muscle resistance for longer hours and reduce any injury-related risks. However, national basketball analyst Rachel DeMita weighed in on the potential connection.

“I’m not sure if she initially got this injury because of the amount of muscle that she put on during the offseason. The minute that you bulk up, the minute that you add more muscle, the minute that you add any sort of weight to your body, your mechanics change.“

Clark returned from her left quad strain, but after a handful of games, was sidelined again. In between, while she was stronger and in a much better never-seen-before form, the glitters soon fell off. Nevertheless, while we don’t know if she will return to play against Paige Bueckers tomorrow, the head coach is on his toes to expect the… well… worst for the Dallas Wings, in case Clark does make an appearance.

Chris Koclanes is prepared to face Caitlin Clark on Friday

Preparing for a game against the Indiana Fever is quite easy. First, move the matchup to a bigger venue. Then, prepare a plan to stop Caitlin Clark. Does not matter whether she is not even in her best form or literally on the DTD injury list. And that’s what the first-time WNBA HC Chris Koclanes is doing.

“You go in preparing for her to be there. And then you adjust accordingly. So, I know they just signed Aari McDonald back, and we’ll see a lot of her tonight. So, we’ll take a good look at and what it would look like if she doesn’t play for us? We would have the benefit of watching them play tonight without her. But you go in preparing for Caitlin to be on the floor then you adjust.”

While Aari McDonald has displayed fine playmaking as a replacement joinee with the Fever, Koclanes is more on his toes to face the sophomore athlete. He would rather prepare his locker room in a manner that can handle or even measure up against Caitlin Clark.

Having said that, with Aari McDonald, Natasha Howard, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell gracing the Indians Fever locker room, can Dallas Wings step up and grab a victory? Can Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers create magic on the hardwood and leave Clark & Co. gasping for air? It remains to be seen.