Just under six minutes into the game, Clark was subbed out for Erica Wheeler. The former Iowa star gave fans a scare as she immediately headed back to the locker room. After a few minutes, she returned to the bench and went back into the game with 2:08 left in the first quarter.
In her postgame press conference, Clark revealed the reasoning behind leaving the court, mentioning that she simply needed a break.
“I mean, they’re a great defensive team,” Clark said. “They’re going to be physical with me. They’re strong. So that can kind of wear you down through the process of the game. I mean, obviously, I played 37 minutes, and I sub myself out there in the first quarter for that little break, so probably would have gone all 40 again, too.”
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.
Clark had her worst outing since the Olympic break ended, tallying 16 points, one three-pointer, six assists and three rebounds. Before that, she had been dominating post-Olympics play, winning three straight Player of the Week awards and the Rookie and Player of the Month.
Throughout the season, Clark is averaging just under 36 minutes per game. Against the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, September 8, Clark did not get a single second of rest, playing 45 minutes of action in the overtime win.
With a playoff spot already secured, it wouldn’t be surprising if coach Christie Sides decided to give Clark some extra rest in the Fever’s final three games of the regular season.
