Caitlin Clark’s Road Struggles: How Injuries Are Impacting the Indiana Fever Star’s Shooting Efficiency
The Indiana Fever secured a crucial win over the Connecticut Sun today, but the victory came with potentially devastating consequences as rookie sensation Caitlin Clark appeared to reaggravate her lingering groin injury. While the former Iowa superstar still managed to contribute 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, her shooting struggles continued in concerning fashion, going just 4-14 from the field (28.6%) and 2-8 from three-point range. The performance highlighted a growing trend that has plagued Clark all season – her dramatic shooting splits between home and road games, with her three-point efficiency suffering significantly away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
### **The Road Woes Continue**
Clark’s three-point shooting on the road this season has been a far cry from the elite marksmanship she displayed in college. While she remains one of the WNBA’s most dangerous deep threats, her splits tell a troubling story:
– **Home:** 38.1% 3PT (on 7.2 attempts per game)
– **Road:** 31.2% 3PT (on 6.8 attempts per game)
The discrepancy becomes even more pronounced when accounting for her injury history this season. Since suffering the initial groin strain in late June, Clark’s road three-point percentage has dipped to **just 29.4%**, compared to **36.8% before the injury**. The numbers suggest that the physical toll of travel, combined with the lingering effects of her groin issue, has disrupted her shooting rhythm.
*Injury Impact on Performance
Clark’s groin injury has been a recurring problem, forcing her to miss practices and limiting her mobility on the court. While she has played through pain, her shooting mechanics appear affected—particularly on the road, where fatigue and unfamiliar rims compound the issue.
“Sometimes you just don’t have the same lift on your shot,” Clark admitted after the game. “It’s frustrating because I know I can shoot better, but my body isn’t always cooperating right now.”
Her struggles are most evident in catch-and-shoot situations on the road, where she’s converting just **30.1%** of her threes, compared to **41.3% at home**. Defenses have also adjusted, aggressively closing out on her and forcing her into tougher, off-balance attempts.
Fever Face a Tough Decision
With the Fever fighting for playoff positioning, the team must weigh the risks of continuing to play Clark heavy minutes versus giving her time to fully heal. Head coach Christie Sides acknowledged the dilemma postgame:
“We monitor her every day. She’s a competitor and wants to be out there, but we have to be smart. Long-term health is the priority.”
Can Clark Turn It Around?
Despite the shooting slump, Clark remains a vital part of Indiana’s offense, drawing defensive attention that opens opportunities for teammates. However, for the Fever to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need her to regain her shooting form—especially away from home.
If the groin injury continues to linger, Indiana may have no choice but to rest her, even if it costs them games in the short term. For now, all eyes will be on Clark’s status ahead of their next road trip—and whether she can rediscover her stroke before the postseason.
**One thing is clear:If the Fever want to compete for a championship, they need a healthy Caitlin Clark at her best—both at home and on the road.**
**Latest Update:** Fever officials have listed Clark as **day-to-day**, with further evaluation scheduled before their next game. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this latest setback forces the team to make a tough decision about her workload moving forward.
