Caitlin Clark says she feels healthy after an injury-shortened 2025 season, crediting a strong FIBA qualifying tournament showing as evidence that she is back to full strength.
Caitlin Clark spent most of last season on the sideline. She has no plans to do the same this year. The Indiana Fever star said Sunday she is feeling healthy heading into the 2026 WNBA season, crediting a strong run with Team USA at the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament for restoring her confidence after a lost year.
"I really did feel like myself. I feel really healthy," Clark said on NBC's Basketball Night in America. "It's crazy to think it was eight months. Just excited for the W season. I miss playing in front of fans in every city."
Last season, Clark dealt with a left quadriceps strain entering the opener, then a left groin sprain, and then a right groin injury in July that lingered for an extended period. A bone bruise in her left ankle surfaced during rehab, ending her season.
Indiana officially shut her down on Sept. 4. She finished with 13 games played, averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. Despite the circumstances, she still landed a second consecutive All-Star appearance.
The FIBA qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was her first real basketball in over eight months. It was also her international senior debut. She averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 assists per game as Team USA went undefeated through the round-robin stage, and she walked away with tournament MVP honors.
Against Spain on March 17, Clark logged seven points and seven assists in just over 22 minutes. Kahleah Copper led the Americans with 20 points, and Kelsey Plum added 18 off a stretch where she personally fueled an 11-0 second-quarter run that put the game out of reach. Dearica Hamby chipped in 14 points and three steals, and she combined with Angel Reese and Jackie Young for 15 defensive rebounds to put away any Spain comeback bid.
The tournament was a glimpse of what Clark looks like after a full recovery process. She will get her next chance to compete on the international stage when Team USA heads to Berlin for the FIBA Women's World Cup in 2026, where the Americans will chase their 12th title with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon.
Before any of that, though, the WNBA season tips off. The Fever open their 2026 season on May 9 against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.