Caitlin Clark was forced to leave the Indiana Fever's game against the Dallas Wings in the first half on Friday night with a lower leg or foot injury. The scare occurred with under a minute remaining in the second quarter when Clark, the 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick, stepped on the foot of Dallas Wings forward Alysha Clark while on defense.
Clark appeared to be in immediate pain, grimacing and hopping on her right leg. Although she initially attempted to continue playing, Fever head coach Stephanie White opted to substitute her out for backup point guard Tyasha Harris. Clark was then seen limping towards the locker room as the first half concluded. At the time of her departure, Clark had recorded nine points, four assists, and three rebounds.
The Indiana Fever ultimately won the game against the Dallas Wings, with a final score of 98-87. However, the team initially feared the worst, especially given a previous injury that ended Clark's 2025 season prematurely. On July 15, 2025, Clark suffered a right groin injury that caused her to miss the WNBA All-Star Game and festivities. She also sat out the Fever's final 22 regular-season games and their subsequent playoff run to the WNBA semifinals.
Despite the concerning exit, the injury scare for Clark appeared to be short-lived. She re-emerged after halftime and warmed up with the team. Clark returned to the game and went on to score 20 points in the second half, adding six more assists to complete a double-double with 29 points and 10 assists. The Fever's victory came in a notable matchup against former No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.
This incident also occurs amid a season where Clark has been the center of several foul controversies. Since being selected first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, opposing players have frequently targeted Clark. In June, Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas struck Clark in the throat while she was on the court, an incident that sparked national debate about player protection. Earlier in the season, Clark was also involved in a play with Las Vegas Aces player Chelsea Gray, which was reviewed by referees for a 'hostile act.'