Despite having a remarkable rookie season that shattered several records—including the longest double-double streak by a rookie—Angel Reese’s 2024 campaign didn’t end quite the way she imagined. The Chi-Town Barbie suffered a wrist injury that sidelined her for the final stretch of the season. But just when things looked bleak, a hand reached out.

“I can help you get better. I’m positive,” Reese was told. Well, that hand belonged to her mentor, someone who stepped in once the Sky star had recovered and dedicated time to elevating her game. And clearly, it worked, just look at her showing on the Unrivaled court, where she led Rose BC to victory. But while the seasons have changed, the mentor hasn’t. She’s just turned her attention to a different player this time, Caitlin Clark!

And no, we’re not talking about physical help. What Lisa Leslie believes Clark needs most right now is emotional support. When the WNBA legend learned about Clark’s right groin injury—sustained in the closing seconds of Indiana’s last game against the Connecticut Sun—she couldn’t stay silent.

“I really feel for Caitlin Clark, because I actually had that injury in 2006. And listen, I was heavily taped around my thigh, around my glute,” Leslie said on Thursday, in a clip shared by We Need to Talk on X. “And the hard part is that the groin is an area that you can’t just go, ‘Oh, it hurts right here.’ You feel it deep. You have to get a lot of deep treatment, whether it’s ice, and heat, and rest. Well, Caitlin Clark—she can’t find a lot of rest right now because she’s midseason.”

She’s got a point. In the next 10 days, the Fever play 3 games after Clark will have had an All-Star weekend to go through. Stephanie White may be looking to rest her star player all she needs, but according to Leslie, this injury hardly sees an end. It takes about 8 weeks to gradually heal on paper, but the eight-time WNBA All-Star,knows the pain firsthand—one that still haunts her to this day when she plays tennis.

“That injury is really tough because it lingers. No matter how much medicine you take, you can feel fine and get back out there. But one move, one change of direction, and boom—you’re right back feeling that same type of pain. It’s a tough injury that she’s going to have to manage,” Leslie added.

And Clark may already be feeling that. After all, this marks her second groin injury of the season. Earlier, it was the left side that forced her to miss five games. Before that, she was sidelined with quad tightness during the preseason, and again with a quad strain in May. So, you know how it’s been a physically taxing sophomore year for the Indiana Fever star.

But despite the growing list of injuries, there’s still hope as HC Stephanie White, who’s been closely monitoring the situation, has labeled Clark as “day-to-day” after she was left off the active roster in the recent matchup against the New York Liberty. Still, whether or not she plays in the All-Star Game is no longer the only concern!

From logo range to injury pain, can Caitlin Clark still reign?

Last season, when Caitlin Clark declined the NBA All-Star Weekend’s 3-point shooting contest, she was pretty confident she’d be making her debut with the W. And she was right—Clark not only made the All-Star roster but also led all vote-getters this year, earning her spot as captain of Team Caitlin Clark. While that’s a huge reason to celebrate, the biggest buzz has surrounded her participation in the 3-point contest.

Wasting no time, Clark committed to the event, which, for the first time ever, includes the iconic 4-point logo shots. And if there’s one thing Clark is known for, it’s sinking shots from way beyond the arc—whether it’s 35 feet or 33, she knows how to bury the ball. But now, there’s a warning from WNBA legend Lisa Leslie that Clark may need to heed, especially with the All-Star Game just two days away.

“Listen, the logo shot is the longest distance out there in the WNBA, and that’s gonna take away from her lift… I remember struggling all season long in 2006 with that injury,” Leslie added on the same show. And honestly, she has a point. While Clark’s current injury status remains unclear, a groin injury can seriously affect her ability to shoot from long range. It reduces hip strength, range of motion, and stability, all of which are crucial.

Worse, the decline has already shown in her recent performances. Remember when she last faced the Sun? She went 4-of-6 from three and dropped 20 points. But since then, her 3-point shot has noticeably dipped. In the last seven games, she’s gone just 11-for-49 from deep. So, it’s clear her rhythm and range have been affected, and it raises questions about whether we’ll see her at full strength this All-Star Weekend.