Caitlin Clark avoids injury after scare during Fever preseason game: 'Huge sigh of relief'

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Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White said it was a "huge sigh of relief" after star guard Caitlin Clark avoided injury on a scary fall early in the third quarter of the team's 95-80 preseason loss to the Dallas Wings on Thursday. Clark herself said she feels "good" and did not appear concerned during her postgame press conference.

Clark, who was limited to 13 games last season due to an array of lower-body injuries, came up hobbling after being fouled on a 3-pointer by Alanna Smith. The call was reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 1 for a reckless closeout because Smith got in Clark's landing space. While Clark stayed in to shoot her free throws, she left immediately afterward and did not return.

"I just landed on my kneecap really hard," Clark said after the game, while also praising the officials for their work in that situation and throughout the night.

"I know there's a committee of people that really wanted (the officials) to start calling things, and I thought they did a great job of that," Clark said. "Honestly, I thought the refs were great, and it's preseason, so you're probably going to see more fouls called. I expect that number to drop. But I think overall, it's going to improve the product."

Caitlin Clark trying to walk it off after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.

She appears to be ok, officials rule it a Flagrant-1 on Alanna Smith pic.twitter.com/qXyMeRSmWV

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) May 1, 2026

Clark finished the night with 21 points and four assists on 4 of 6 from the field and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. Preseason stats are unofficial, but if they counted, her 13 attempts would be the second most in her career. In 55 regular-season and playoff games, Clark has only taken 10 or more free throws four times. If she can get to the line for easy points this season, it would go a long way toward improving her efficiency and boosting the Fever's already elite offense.