2026 WNBA GM survey: League execs prefer Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark as franchise cornerstone
WNBA GMs prefer Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark as franchise cornerstone ahead of 2026 season.
Caitlin Clark addressed concerns about her leg sleeve during shooting drills, following her injury history. Fans speculated if the sleeve indicated a new injury or preventive measures after missing significant games in 2025.

Caitlin Clark breaks silence on leg sleeve amid injury concerns originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Caitlin Clark knew the question was coming.
The Indiana Fever superstar knew that when she took part in shooting drills on Monday with a sleeve on her left leg, she was going to be asked about it.
Had Clark suffered a new injury? Did the Fever activate some sort of preventive protocol after Clark missed 31 out of 44 regular season games -- not to mention the entire postseason -- in 2025? It wasn't lost on fans that Clark began to sport the sleeve after a hard fall in a preseason loss to the Dallas Wings.
MORE:Ā Caitlin Clarkās new accessory grabs attention as Fever coach addresses concerns
Clark however moved to shut down any speculation about her physical state when she met reporters again on Tuesday, denying any injury and backing up head coach Stephanie White's assertion that the leg sleeve was for "personal preference."
Caitlin Clark's leg sleeve raised concerns about potential new injuries, especially after her history of missing 31 out of 44 regular season games in 2025.
Clark began wearing the leg sleeve after experiencing a hard fall in a preseason game against the Dallas Wings.
Caitlin Clark missed 31 out of 44 regular season games in the 2025 season.
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āJust a little compression on the leg, I donāt know," Clark said, smiling.
Clark played in all three preseason games for the Fever, of which Indiana won two and lost one. She appears to be ready to go on Saturday, when Indiana hosts Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and the Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the Fever's season opener.
Only time will tell though if Clark's leg sleeve becomes a permanent on-court accessory.