Caitlin Clark, the highly touted rookie sensation, has firmly declared her intention to take the court on Wednesday night when the Indiana Fever embark on a road trip to face the formidable Seattle Storm, despite nursing a tender and swollen left ankle.
Clark’s ankle sustained the injury during the first half of Monday’s heartbreaking loss to the Connecticut Sun, yet her unwavering determination saw her return to the hardwood in the latter half of the contest.
“The discomfort is precisely what one would anticipate when enduring such a twist,” Clark candidly remarked. “However, I have every confidence that I’ll be primed and ready to compete. Fortunately, I’ve grappled with ankle ailments before, so this is nothing out of the ordinary for me.”
The young phenom was forced to sit out the final 5 minutes of the opening half against the Sun after her ankle succumbed to the effects of a jarring screen. Undeterred, Clark reasserted her presence in the second half, tallying 17 points and dishing out 5 assists, yet her valiant efforts proved insufficient as the Fever slumped to a disheartening 0-4 record with an 88-84 defeat.
Clark’s strategy involves meticulously taping her ankle and harnessing the adrenaline rush to alleviate any lingering soreness.
Moreover, she harbors high hopes that a return to Seattle will ignite a spark within the Fever. Wednesday’s clash against the Storm will mark Clark’s third appearance at the illustrious Climate Pledge Arena. During the 2023 NCAA Women’s Tournament, she graced the court twice with her alma mater, Iowa, etching an indelible memory with a staggering 41-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist triple-double in the regional final against Louisville, propelling the Hawkeyes to the coveted Final Four.
Clark fondly reminisced about her Seattle sojourn, identifying it as the catalyst for the burgeoning popularity and attention encompassing women’s basketball.
“I believe that trip to Seattle truly marked the inception of the fervent fandom surrounding Iowa women’s basketball, and it heralded the ascent of women’s basketball into the spotlight,” Clark mused. “Prior to that, I had never set foot in Seattle, and we harbored no expectations regarding the support of our fans or the city’s reception. However, upon our arrival, we were overwhelmed by the unwavering enthusiasm for women’s basketball, irrespective of whether we were the protagonists or mere spectators. That weekend, this arena was packed to the rafters, with nary an empty seat in sight. It was a watershed moment, a resounding step forward for women’s basketball.”
