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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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Indiana Fever fans likely held their collective breath at the conclusion of Tuesday's 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun when star guard Caitlin Clark exited the game with 40 seconds left after suffering another groin injury.
The incident happened on a give-and-go pass to Kelsey Mitchell as she drove under the basket for an easy layup.
Replay of the sequence shows Clark clashing with Sun guard Leila Lacan before taking a step back, planting her feet and shifting her weight as she forced the ball to Mitchell Clark immediately pulled up and gingerly walked to the sideline.
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She sat out the remainder of the game with a towel over her head as she fought back tears.
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Head coach Stephanie White didn't offer much of an update on Clark's condition after the win.
"I think we just take it one step at a time," White said, via ESPN. "We'll get some food, get on the plane, and start talking about New York. She's being evaluated, we'll see where we are with that, and certainly we'll have another evaluation, probably in conversation in the morning, and see where we are."
Clark's situation became a little clearer on Wednesday morning when the Fever announced their injury report for Wednesday's game against the New York Liberty.
"Status Report for tonight's game against New York: Caitlin Clark – Questionable (right groin)," the Fever announced on X.
This is the second (different) groin injury Clark has suffered this season. She aggravated her left groin a few weeks ago, which caused her to miss five games.
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Clark also missed four games over three weeks earlier in the season while dealing with a quadriceps injury as well. Fortunately for Indiana, the team has already had to play a number of games without its best player, so it's not exactly in an unfamiliar situation.
"This group has played without her, we've at least got experience in that," White added. "We know that we have a tough opponent in New York, and we know it's going to be a challenge no matter what."
Many fans and analysts believe Clark is racking up the lower-body injuries because of the increased physicality that opponents bring when they play the Fever, and to a degree the relaxed level of fouls called when Clark is on the receiving end of that physicality.
In Clark's absence, Aari McDonald will likely see an increase in playing time. She was signed earlier this season on an emergency hardship contract and later rejoined the Fever when they parted ways with DeWanna Bonner.
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