The Indiana Fever battled it out against one of the best defensive teams in the league. However, mid-way trouble lurked over the young core. Their star performer and the WNBA overall No.1 draft pick, Caitlin Clark was seen limping out of the game before half-time. But fighting through the pain, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer returned to the bench.

Apparently, with just 5:37 left in the second quarter, the 6-foot guard ran into a pick. But before she could grab the ball, she twisted her left ankle and fell on the Sun guard Brionna Jones. Following the non-contact injury, she stayed on the floor as the game continued around her until Indiana took a timeout. The teammates helped her out of the court and she left for the locker room, increasing the tension in the home arena. Prior to the incident, she had secured 8 points with 2-of-8 shooting and 2 three-pointers, along with 2 rebounds.

Nonetheless, after her careful evaluation in the locker room, a sold-out crowd at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse with over 17,413 fans breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she returned to the bench. She later joined the leading team in the last 20 minutes to reignite the fighting chance for the Fever.

However, the rollercoaster of the eventful night made the fans worrisome for their home team. Soon after the incident fans flooded the social media with reactions.

Fans show concern after Caitlin Clark’s midway exit from the game

One of them was breaking the news on X. The fan tweeted, “Caitlin Clark just got injured,” expressing dismay. However, that wouldn’t stay long.

A few posts circulated displaying the exact moment of her succumbing to the non-contact injury.

Meanwhile, there were also some fans who were confident about Clark’s return to the hardwood. Commending her toughness, one X user said, “Caitlin Clark is a tough cookie. I knew she be back.” Clark returned in the initial minutes of the third quarter, and finished the night with 14 points, added two more free throws to post 4-4, and made one more successful 3 pointer.

Also, one die-hard Caitlin Clark fan was willing to offer her the ankle so that she could come back. The comment read, “caitlin clark take my ankle.” The 22-year-old admitted that her ankles aren’t exactly the best in the world and felt tight in the morning. Frustrated and determined to return, Clark reveals she got ‘more tape on it as fast as she could’.

Another offered instructions to the two-time national player of the year on what she should do next so the situation is not worsened. It read, “Caitlin Clark just needs to stay on the bench and stretch her ankle out so it doesn’t tighten up.” Clark did sit out the rest of the second quarter after exiting around 5-minute mark with athletic trainer Todd Champlin. “I turned it pretty good,” Clark said upon the final results.

There is no official word from the medical team regarding the extent of the injury. Although, her presence on the court and beyond indicates positive signs for the franchise. “Every basketball player has an ankle injury,” Clark said. “If you don’t, you’re not a true baller. It’ll be stiff, but I’ll be good.”

And thus, hopefully, fans will see her in action when the Fever takes on Seattle next.