Why All The Clark Injuries?

The Game

The Fever won a close one. Obviously they did not look as good as they did in their last game, but that happens in the pros when they play as often as they play. The major positive from this game was that they were able to finish the game with a solid last 3 minutes. 

Some take aways:

1- As much as Caitlin Clark struggled, the Fever were a +21 with her on the floor. They were +11 with Boston, +9 with Cunningham, and +7 with Boston. 

2- Aliyah had a total of 6 shots in the game. In the last game it seemed like they had gotten back to using Boston in dribble handoff actions with Mitchell and Clark. That is so good because you are really having two of your best players in an action together. The Horns Set they used to get Boston the ball in the last game, was not used in this game. 

3- Lexie Hull has her minutes squeezed more and more. She only played 14 minutes in this game. 

4- Howard had one of her best games. She seemed so active offensively. She finished with 8 for 11 from the field, 18 points and 13 rebounds. 

5- McDonald was benched in the second half. The Fever were a -9 when she was on the floor. 

6- In general it seemed like they had a more predictable sub pattern. 

7- The Fever need to come up with something to get into flow and push the ball off makes. Shelton jammed Clark and made her work to get the ball up the floor. It seemed like Clark never caught the ball on the run and never really looked to try to blow by the defense. It hurts the Fever when they have Clark matched guarding the player who will guard Clark- the defender easily finds her and presses her. 

8- Clark is now 2 for 35 on threes on the road this season. 

The Refs

I know it is beating a dead horse but….  It appears that not only are there bad refs in the WNBA, there are a lot of bad refs. 

I would love to have someone pick out 10 clips per game- ask all the WNBA refs to watch each clip and say what their call or non-call would be. I am convinced that the WNBA refs would have no consistency in calling the 10 plays. It is ridiculous- as I watch I have no idea why something is a foul and something is not a foul. 

The two most egregious calls were- 1) When Boston got smacked in the face off a wind up by the other player, 2) When Cunningham tried to drive left on the baseline and was smacked out of bounds and called out of bounds. 

The sad part is that you can tell the players are so frustrated- they know they have gotten fouled 5 times when it was not called so it is only natural for them to be upset every time they are called for a foul. 

The Injury?

We won’t have to wait long to see if Clark reinjured her groin. The previous two injuries were to the left leg while this one appears to be her right leg. In post-game Coach White acknowledged Clark had felt something in her groin.  

Your Thoughts- Clark Injuries

Please, please share your thoughts in the comments here on the blog. Everyone that reads the blog can seem them here. 

What is your theory on Clarks rash of injuries? She never missed a game last year or in college- this year not the case. 

A- Just bad luck- injuries happen. 

B- WNBA plays too many games in a short time.

C- She is being bumped over and over, so increases chances of injury as she tries to maintain balance and play thru contact. 

D- Her off-season focus on strength training has made her less flexible and more prone to injuries.

E- They never let the early injuries heal fully. 

F- Other ideas. 

Please, please share your thoughts in the comments here on the blog. Everyone that reads the blog can seem them here.