If you haven’t seen her logo splashed across a Gainbridge Fieldhouse billboard lately or caught a deep three-pointer on your social feed, you might be asking: does Caitlin Clark still play in the WNBA?
It's a fair question, honestly. Especially after the whirlwind that was 2024. But the short answer is a resounding yes. She's still the face of the Indiana Fever, even if the last year felt a little quiet compared to the deafening roar of her rookie debut.
The 2025 Injury Scare
Last season was... tough. There's no other way to put it. After a historic rookie run where she basically rewrote the record books, Clark hit a massive wall in 2025. Not a talent wall, mind you, but a physical one.
She was limited to just 13 games.
Think about that. After playing basically every minute of every game at Iowa and never missing a beat as a pro, her body finally said "enough." She dealt with a string of nagging soft-tissue issues—quad strains, groin problems, and a bone bruise that just wouldn't quit. By early September 2025, she and the Fever made the hard call to shut it down for the year. It was the right move for her long-term career, but it left a huge Caitlin-sized hole in the league's viewership numbers.
Even in those 13 games, though, she was still putting up numbers that most veterans would kill for. We're talking 16.5 points and a career-high 8.8 assists per game. She wasn't just "playing"; she was still the engine of the Indiana offense.
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Does Caitlin Clark still play in the WNBA right now?
As we head into 2026, Clark is fully expected to be back at 100%. She’s under contract with the Indiana Fever, and the hype for her third season is already reaching a fever pitch (pun intended).
There was some weird chatter on social media—mostly clickbait YouTube titles—suggesting she might walk away or that the league was "done" with her. Total nonsense. You don't walk away from an eight-year, $28 million Nike deal and a signature shoe launch just because you had a rough year with a groin injury.
The reality is that she's spent the last few months rehabbing and getting her body right. She even popped up at a Team USA camp recently, looking like her old self. The "logo threes" haven't gone anywhere; they were just on a brief hiatus.
Breaking Down the Stats
If you're a numbers person, the drop-off in 2025 looks dramatic on paper because of the games played, but the efficiency tells a different story.
In her 2024 rookie year, she averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 assists over 40 games. She was the Rookie of the Year, an All-Star, and a First Team All-WNBA selection.
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In 2025, during those 13 games, the scoring dipped to 16.5, but her playmaking actually got better. She was finding teammates more effectively than ever. She was voted an All-Star captain last year despite the injuries—that tells you everything you need to know about her popularity. Fans didn't care if she was on the court or the bench; they still wanted her at the center of the game.
What to Expect in 2026
The Indiana Fever roster is looking interesting this year. You’ve still got Aliyah Boston in the paint, which is basically the best pick-and-roll partner Clark could ask for. They also have Makayla Timpson and Kelsey Mitchell locked in.
The big question for 2026 is whether Clark can stay healthy for a full 40-game slate. The WNBA is physical. Teams aren't just letting her walk into open shots anymore. They’re bumping her, double-teaming her at half-court, and making every single dribble a chore.
Realities of the Grind
- Physicality: The "welcome to the league" moments haven't stopped.
- Target on her back: Every opponent wants to be the one to shut down the most famous player in the world.
- Marketability: Her Nike signature shoe is slated for a 2026 release. That’s massive.
Why the "Retirement" Rumors Started
People love drama. When Clark missed the back half of the 2025 season, the internet did what the internet does. Speculation ran wild. Some said she was frustrated with the WNBA’s internal politics (which, let's be real, are always a bit messy). Others thought she might take a year off to just be a global icon.
But if you watch her on the bench, she’s still the loudest person there. She’s coaching up the younger players, screaming at refs, and living every play. That’s not someone who’s done with basketball.
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Honestly, the 2025 injury might have been a blessing in disguise. It gave her a chance to breathe. Since her sophomore year at Iowa, she has been under a microscope that would crush most people. A few months of privacy and rehab probably did wonders for her mental game.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with her this season, don't just rely on the national headlines.
- Check the Fever Roster: Roster spots change fast in the W. Keep an eye on how the Fever build around her this spring.
- Follow the Shoe Release: The launch of her Nike line will likely coincide with a major marketing push for her "comeback" season.
- Watch the Assists: Everyone watches her scoring, but her passing is what actually wins games. If she's hitting double-digit assists, Indiana is hard to beat.
Caitlin Clark is still very much a WNBA player. She's the cornerstone of the league’s future and the primary reason the Fever are suddenly a must-watch team. The "break" in 2025 was just a commercial intermission. The main event starts now.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the official WNBA injury reports during training camp. That will be the first real indicator of whether her 2025 struggles are truly behind her or if we’re looking at a recurring issue.