‘Will not be returning’ – Caitlin Clark fears confirmed as boyfriend’s heartfelt post follows LeBron’s inspirational message
Caitlin Clark's WNBA season is over.
On Thursday, the 23-year-old announced on social media that she won't play again this season, putting to an end weeks of speculation about her health and possible return.
And in a sign of Clark's popularity, the basketball world were quick to share their thoughts.
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James, WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, teammate Lexie Hull joined Clark's boyfriend Connor McCaffery in predicting a big bounce back for the reigning Rookie of the Year.
"Minor setback for a MAJOR COMEBACK!! Rest up, get healthy and be YOU!" James, whose superstar appeal is compared to Clark, wrote on social media.
"2026 going to be the best season yet," Lexie Hull wrote. "Love you lots."
READ MORE WNBA
"You got this," Ionescu added.
While McCaffery replied with several love-heart emojis.
What did Clark say about her injury?
Clark, who has played just 13 games this season, wrote a lengthy post on X explaining her injury and why she can't play again this season.
"I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season," Clark, who's enjoyed a fine WNBA career so far, posted.
Most read in Basketball
"I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn't a big enough word to describe how I am feeling."
"I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty.
"This has been incredibly frustrating, but even in the bad, there is good. The way the fans continued to show up for me, and for the Fever, brought me so much joy and important perspective.
"I am so proud of how this team has only gotten stronger through adversity this year. Now it's time to close out the season and claim our spot in the Playoffs."
Clark's injuries have plagued her all season
The former Iowa star hasn't caught a break all season when it comes to her health.
Her troubles began when, due to quad tightness, she had to sit out Fever's first preseason game, a 79-74 victory over the Washington Mystics in May.
Then, later that month, just four games into the season, Clark suffered a left quad strain, which forced her to miss five games.
After returning to action and appearing in five consecutive games, Clark got injured again, suffering a left groin sprain against the Los Angeles Sparks.
She would return on July 9 against the Golden State Valkyries, tallying 10 points, five rebounds, six assists and four turnovers in less than 25 minutes of an 80-61 loss.
However, less than a week later, against the Connecticut Sun, Clark injured her groin again.
The guard hasn't been seen in action since, and has been limited to just appearances on the sidelines, where she's not shy from making her presence felt.
Read More on talkSPORT
Clark's injuries and troubles come as a surprise having not missed a single game for the entirety of her college career and through the first year of her WNBA career.
Instead she'll be on the sidelines as the Fever aim to close out their season with a return to the postseason, they face Chicago Sky on Friday night, who will be without with Clark's fierce rival Angel Reese.