Indiana Fever Issue Statement on Caitlin Clark's Injury After Conflicting Report

Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark played her first WNBA regular-season game since she suffered a season-ending groin injury on July 15, 2025. She suited up for the season-opener on Saturday against the Dallas Wings.

Unfortunately, the Fever could not hold off Paige Bueckers and Co. Indiana failed to defend its home court, losing its first game of the season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 107-104.

There was a lot of attention on Clark during the game, especially after she took a couple of unexpected trips to the locker room throughout the contest.

During the broadcast, ABC's commentators reported that the training staff was attending to Clark's hip flexor and groin area. This raised considerable concern since it was a groin injury that forced the two-time All-Star to miss the majority of the 2025 season.

The good news is that there is no cause for concern. Clark said after the game that the trainers were actually working on her back when she headed to the locker room. In her postgame interview, head coach Stephanie White also shut down the supposed hip/groin issue, saying, "That would be the first time I've heard that."

According to Fever reporter Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star, the team cleared the air on Clark's injury after the game.

"Fever communications staff added that they did not provide an official update to ABC on why Clark left for the tunnel, so everything reported on the broadcast in-game was speculation," Peterson reported.

It is unclear where ABC got its information on Clark's in-game injury. Either way, the Fever's communication team confirmed after the loss that it was a back issue that forced Clark to leave the playing court twice, and not a hip/groin injury.

The biggest takeaway here is that Clark looked good in her return to action. She finished with 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 31 minutes of action.

It also does not seem like she's dealing with any concerning issue that will affect her availability for Indiana's next game.

The Fever have a few days off before they return to the court. They will travel to California to face the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday. The game from Crypto.com Arena will tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Related: Fever Coach Stephanie White Responds to Raven Johnson's Personal Comment

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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 7:01 AM.