Caitlin Clark's eagerly awaited rematch with Angel Reese has been put on hold as the Indiana Fever star continues to recover from a quad injury. Clark was initially given a two-week recovery timeline, and she won't be rushing back onto the court.
Clark will miss her fourth consecutive game, including the matchup against Reese and the Chicago Sky. "I'll miss this weekend's game, but after that, it's day-by-day and see how I feel, and just turn to the medical staff and what they think," Clark told reporters. "I feel like I've made a lot of progress and I feel good, and I'm not going to rush coming back. It's just not worth it. But after this weekend, I'll be reevaluated and we'll have a better idea of when I'll return."
The previous game between the Fever and the Sky was filled with drama, including a flagrant foul by Clark on Reese. Reese reacted strongly and had to be separated. Although Clark is eager to play, she understands the importance of not risking further injury.
"It's the type of injury like, you don't know, when I wake up, I'll feel different than the day before," Clark explained. She mentioned a possible return on Tuesday against the Atlanta Dream, but her next game would be against the reigning champion New York Liberty, the team she was injured against.
Clark admitted that being injured is testing her patience, but she is trying to use the time to learn from the sidelines, which is what Fever head coach Stephanie White wants her to do. "It's taught me a lot," Clark said. "I've never been in that position before of actually getting to watch from the bench for an extended period of time It's the same as you turn on the TV and watch the NBA or you watch other WNBA games -- that's the best way to learn basketball, is just watch and absorb it, and it's the same when I'm not active, too."
In her first four games this season, Clark has averaged 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds. She has already recorded a triple-double and a double-double.
Caitlin Clark Injury Sidelines Rematch Against Angel Reese
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will miss her highly anticipated rematch against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky due to a quad injury. Clark is taking a cautious approach to her recovery, prioritizing long-term health over a quick return. She will be re-evaluated after this weekend's game. Clark is using her time on the sidelines to learn and observe the game from a different perspective.