After missing the final 22 games of the 2025 season due to injury, Caitlin Clark returned to the WNBA against the Dallas Wings. Clark ended up walking off the court with an injury scare after Alanna Smith committed a hard foul during the Indiana Fever’s second preseason matchup.

The Indiana Fever hosted the Dallas Wings on Thursday night, and Clark bounced back after a poor shooting outing in the preseason game against the New York Liberty. She finished with 21 points, showing much better efficiency from the field and at the free‑throw line.

While Clark carried the first two quarters, the momentum shifted in the third quarter. Around the seventh minute mark, the 24-year-old rose up for a jumper at the perimeter against Alanna Smith and landed awkwardly after stepping on Smith's foot.

Upon review, officials ruled that Smith extended her foot into Clark’s landing area and assessed a Flagrant 1. 

Clark landed awkwardly and tweaked her ankle. Following the fall, she tried to walk it off but struggled and limped. But before exiting the floor, she knocked down all three free throws.

Notably, the flagrant foul call came at an interesting time. The league faced a lot of chatter surrounding the officiating and its inconsistencies at the end of the 2025 season. WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert, in response, had recently promised stronger action on officiating consistency through a task force. 

Clark had repeatedly faced physical play last season, and Coach Stephanie White had questioned several no-calls. This review and upgrade to a flagrant reflected the first step toward the change.

Caitlin Clark’s injury proved costly for the Fever

Following the injury, Clark became the focus. According to WNBA reporter Tony East’s account, the star guard checked in with the medical staff and had her ankle examined on the bench.

She watched from the sidelines in her warm-up jacket. She did not return to the locker room; at the same time, she didn’t enter the game. Following the game, speaking to the media, Clark clarified that she was okay and landed hard on her knee cap.

The absence severely shifted the momentum in the Wings’ favor as they closed out the game with a 95-80 win. 

However, the Fever have a chance to redeem themselves immediately, as they face the Wings once again on May 8.

Despite the injury, Clark showed the signs of her shooting brilliance. The Fever's success hinges on Clark regaining her rhythm before the regular season is in full swing.

Do you think Caitlin Clark can avoid injury and help the Fever reach the postseason this time? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Shahul Hameed

Edited by

Surjo Roy