Caitlin Clark made her highly anticipated return to the court on Wednesday afternoon after missing five games with a groin injury. But the night was far from smooth for the rookie sensation.
In a lopsided 80-61 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, Clark was visibly frustrated early on. The Indiana Fever guard had a tense exchange with an official during the first quarter after falling to the ground while bringing the ball up the court. No foul was called. And Clark didn’t hold back her displeasure, expressing frustration both from the hardwood and again as she walked to the bench during a timeout.
The fall drew concern, as it closely resembled the awkward landing that originally caused her groin injury during a game in Seattle weeks ago. Fortunately, Clark appeared fine and played 25 minutes in total.
Read More: ESPN’s Caitlin Clark Take Backfires After Fever Loss to Sparks
Clark struggled offensively, finishing with just 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting, including 2-for-5 from three. It was a rare off night for the WNBA’s most-watched guard, who has often shouldered much of Indiana’s offensive load this season.
— HoopHer (@HoopHerSpeaks) July 9, 2025
The loss dropped the Fever to 9-10 on the year. Further halting momentum after a short win streak prior to Clark’s injury absence.
Bigger Picture in the WNBA
This is the second recent run-in between Clark and league officials. Earlier in the season, she received a technical foul for punching the base of the hoop. A moment she later said was misinterpreted as “disrespectful to the game” by refs. Combined with ongoing complaints from players like Angel Reese and Kelsey Plum, Clark’s frustrations reflect broader tension over WNBA officiating standards.
With Caitlin Clark now healthy and back on the floor. All eyes will remain on how she and the refs respond in the weeks to come.
Stay in the Game With the Latest Scores, Highlights, and Stories — Follow GamerKoala on MSN.
