There’s no doubt that Caitlin Clark has single-handedly done for the league what no else has been able to—at least not at this level. Yet, as the 2025 season progresses, a painful truth has emerged. Allegations have swirled up on social media, including from her brother, that perhaps the league is falling short of giving the same kind of love back. Meaning? Clark has been sidelined yet again.

While Clark’s latest run-in with her re-injury did not reek of controversy initially, it still put the spotlight on what many call lackluster refereeing. It started with the Fever star re-injuring her right groin against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night—her third injury of the regular season. A little while later, the Fever star’s brother blamed in a now-deleted tweet, “Make no mistake, this is on the reffing.” Head coach Stephanie White, albeit unaware of the social media drama, elaborated more: “Someone who has the ball in her hands as much as Caitlin, the physicality that she’s experiencing for 40 minutes. It causes you to load differently. It causes you to explode differently. It causes you to accelerate and decelerate differently. It’s not the free-flowing movement that we want to see when it comes to freedom of movement.

“And I think all of those things at times, while it might not be one blow or another, over time can contribute to [an injury].” Sports columnist Sally Jenkins’ words, though, were not this mild. “The WNBA should change its logo to a bruise. Forget that little silhouette of a woman rising for a shot; just use Caitlin Clark’s arm or a leg with a purple discoloration,” she wrote on The Washington Post while calling the officiating “lousy” and “second-rate”. But, what now? Well, the road to recovery may be a treacherous one, but perhaps there’s a way—where the most crucial role will be played by the Indiana medical staff.

As per WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita on her namesake YouTube channel earlier this week, she first pointed out, “She has been on minutes restriction for the last few games, and I’ve always been a bit confused by that, because I did not understand why the Fever would bring her back if she was injured at all,” before adding, “Groins are something that are just so finicky, but they’re also things that can lead to bigger injuries. So, I just hope that the Indiana Fever’s medical staff is I just hope that they have the top-of-the-line people in there for her.“

To elaborate more, as per Sports Medicine & Regenerative Expert Dr. Jesse Morse, Clark has strained both adductors within three weeks, along with a prior quad strain on her left leg. The right groin sprain leads to restricted movement, but when both adductors are compromised, the lower body loses core stability. Add that to a quad strain, and the kinetic chain begins to break down. Dr. Morse even suggested injecting “a non-inflammatory allograft stem cell product” in the adductor tendon attachments. This will help mobility in the long run. Moreover, this method can help enhance angiogenesis and improve muscle strains and heal soft tissue injuries. Looks like Clark’s team might have to pull some strings which DeMita also mentioned.

“You need to have the top-of-the-line people in for Caitlin Clark. And if they’re not going to handle it, then she needs to get an NBA staff to work on her. She needs to get her own medical staff, go to Germany, and get some shots that Kobe used to get,” added DeMita, pointing out the variety of healthcare options that Clark can choose from.

While the Indiana Fever team can only do so much, DeMita suggested that the athlete should undergo legal but elaborate procedures. And as the face of the W, Cathy Engelbert & Co. should prioritize Clark’s health on an urgent basis if they don’t want their star player to suffer a lengthy injury. In the short term, though, the fans’ worst fears have come to pass.

Caitlin Clark pens a heartfelt note ahead of the All-Star weekend

On July 16, Caitlin Clark dropped a message on her social media6 that no fan wanted to read. The dreaded had come to pass. Clark wrote, “I’m incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can’t participate in the 3-point contest or the All-Star game, I have to rest my body. I will still be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for all the action, and I’m looking forward to helping Sandy coach our team to a win.”

While this is a big blow for the fans, and even more so for the league, this may turn out to be a good decision for the player in the long run. Many fans even went so far as to advise the Fever star to sit out the entire season and recuperate. Though it seems improbable she will heed that advice, CC does need to give her body enough time to get back to full fitness. And hope is that the Fever do not rush her comeback, even if it means struggling through some of the games.

As the All-Stars step into the city of Indianapolis, it will be exciting to catch all the fan favorites under one roof. While Clark may not be able to help out on court, don’t be surprised if you hear her shouting from the sidelines. Although the Fever faithful may not get to watch Clark in her backyard, they’ll have Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston to cheer for. Expect fireworks on this raucous night in Indiana.