Caitlin Clark exits preseason sport after collision with Wings defender

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Indiana Fever star guard Caitlin Clark exited Thursday night time’s preseason sport in opposition to the Dallas Wings after colliding with one in every of their gamers.

Clark was seen hobbling on the court docket after taking a step-back three-point shot and touchdown on Wings star defender Alanna Smith’s foot within the third quarter of the matchup. Upon touchdown, Clark instructed reporters after the 95-80 loss that she hit her knee arduous when she went down after the foul by Smith.

Clark rolled over on the court docket and tried to stroll it off as she went towards the Fever bench. Officers ended up reviewing the play and gave Smith, the reigning co-Defensive Participant of the 12 months within the WNBA , a Flagrant 1 foul for not giving Clark a protected quantity of room to land after capturing.

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball within the second half in opposition to the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Pictures)

Clark exited the sport with fewer than eight minutes left within the third quarter.

She completed with a team-high 21 factors regardless of lacking a lot of the second half. Clark hit two of her three tried three-pointers, whereas flattening 11 of 13 from the free throw line. She additionally had two rebounds, 4 assists and one steal within the contest.

Being this was a preseason matchup, Fever followers had been holding their collective breath watching Clark within the second, particularly contemplating the tumultuous season she had in 2025.

CAITLIN CLARK RETURNS TO WNBA COMPETITION AFTER 2025 INJURY IN FEVER PRESEASON GAME

Clark played just 13 games in her sophomore marketing campaign, removed from what she had hoped after successful WNBA Rookie of the 12 months and setting the single-season assists document in 2024.

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever brings the ball up the court docket in opposition to Odyssey Sims of the Dallas Wings throughout a preseason sport at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30, 2026. (Justin Casterline/Getty Pictures)

But it surely appeared Clark prevented a critical damage that would’ve are available in that state of affairs. Being in somebody’s touchdown zone after a shot can result in extreme accidents, particularly ankles turning.

Fever head coach Stephanie White didn’t appear to wish to push Clark, and sat her the remainder of the way in which.

The Fever nonetheless have yet another preseason sport remaining on the schedule, as they face the Nigerian nationwide group on Saturday. Then, it’s regular-season basketball, with the Fever’s first sport that counts on the document in opposition to these identical Wings in Dallas on Could 9.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark questions a delay of sport name in opposition to the Dallas Wings throughout a preseason sport at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30. (Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire)

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The Wings are an intriguing group to look at, with Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 general decide on this yr’s WNBA Draft, reuniting with fellow UConn teammate Paige Bueckers to start her professional journey. Bueckers led the Wings with 20 factors on Thursday night time, whereas Fudd completed with 4 factors.