If you need to know how Caitlin Clark spent her offseason, just look around – Bulldogs, Iowa, Pacers arenas, and even golf headlines had her name buzzing. But it was one photo, back in March, that said it all. She was in the gym, and the picture practically screamed it. She hadn’t played a game in months, yet somehow, she was still the talk of the timeline. But, you know, what we thought was her biggest flex may have turned into the very thing holding her back.

We all saw her come back from that quad injury with a couple of strong games. The Fever picked up wins, Clark looked solid, and then something shifted. Suddenly, she couldn’t buy a bucket. Turnovers were piling up, and those sharp passes weren’t landing. Back-to-back rough outings against the Golden State Valkyries and the Las Vegas Aces, both ending in losses. 

And even in the Seattle game, which the Fever did win, but it was Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull who carried the load. Clark had one of her worst performances of the season. Now, fans might finally have a little clarity as Clark was ruled out of Thursday’s game against the Sparks due to a left groin injury. Some fans think they’ve already spotted the exact moment she got hurt, but analyst Rachel DeMita has a different theory altogether, and it’s tied to Clark’s offseason work.

Mind you, DeMita’s not just talking as a fan; she played college ball too, and faced similar problems and understands what happens in that off-season. “I’m not sure if she initially got this injury because of the amount of muscle that she put on during the off season,” she said. “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.” The comments highlight the delicate balance athletes must maintain between strength gains and physical adaptability.

She noted that most professional athletes go through that process slowly, making sure their body mechanics adjust alongside the added muscle growth, something that might not have happened in Clark’s case. “Caitlin Clark did all of this during the off-season. She wasn’t doing that many 5v5 runs. She obviously wasn’t playing in an organized league, so all this muscle mass came on really quickly, and I’m sure that it changed the mechanics of her body,” the analyst said on her YouTube channel.

To be fair, Clark did put in the work during her seven-month offseason. Mostly because last year she went from playing in the NCAA national championship in April to being drafted a week later and then rolled straight into her first WNBA training camp. So, physically, not being at that level, her struggles with physicality were at the forefront. But before season 2, she made it her goal.

CC passed on playing in Unrivaled and was grinding in the weight room, training regularly with Sarah Kessler, the Fever’s head of athletic performance. According to Clark herself, she felt stronger. But that strength-building wasn’t just for show. Coach Stephanie White even detailed the science behind it all. The workouts included things like “time under tension,” which basically means putting muscles under resistance for longer periods of time to build durability and reduce injury risk. It’s the kind of thing that’s designed to keep players healthy through long, heavy-minute games.

So, all precautions were taken. But we can’t deny the fact that Clark did bulk up fast. And even when everything’s done right, sometimes the body doesn’t quite adapt the way you’d hope. For now, the full picture isn’t clear. Coach White didn’t give many details when asked about the groin injury. “I think it’s very much a day-to-day thing, how she responds to treatment,” she told reporters. Apparently, the injury only came to light late Wednesday night, and Clark underwent an MRI right after.

So, will we see her suit up for the next game? No one knows. But even on the sidelines, Caitlin Clark still finds her way into the headlines.

Caitlin Clark stirs sideline buzz with Kelsey Plum- exchange 

Caitlin Clark didn’t play against the Los Angeles Sparks, but it sure looked like she wanted to. Sitting out due to a groin issue, the Indiana Fever rookie was still locked into the game, barking from the sidelines, talking to her coaches, and even getting into it with the refs.

The Fever led for most of the game before things unraveled in the fourth quarter, ending in a 75-85 loss. And while the scoreboard showed a disappointing result, all eyes were on Clark’s competitive energy from the bench. One moment between her and head coach Stephanie White, where both were seen animatedly talking to the officials, even caught the attention of broadcasters. They commented on Clark’s fire, calling it a clear example of her “competitive spirit.”

But the highlight of the night? A funny little exchange between Clark and veteran Kelsey Plum late in the second quarter. With 24 seconds left in the half, Clark seemed to be arguing a call from the sideline when Plum turned toward the ref and playfully flashed a “T” with her hands, motioning for a technical. She then exaggerated it for laughs, and fans on X couldn’t get enough.

Turns out, Clark had one foot across the sideline – just enough for Plum to cheekily point it out. The ref obviously didn’t take any action, brushing it off while Clark eventually sat back down. Still, the viral video sparked plenty of chatter online. Now, with Indiana heading into a matchup against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, the big question remains: Will Clark be back on the court, or will she once again steal the show from the sidelines?