Kate Martin Shares 'Not Easy' Aspect of Caitlin Clark Missing Fever Games With Injury

Golden State Valkyries star Kate Martin spoke about Caitlin Clark's injury, sharing how it might be affecting both Clark and fans eager to see her on the court.

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) and guard Kate Martin (20) take questions at Rocket Mortgage Arena, Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Cleveland. | Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Indiana Fever will take on the Washington Mystics on Wednesday without their franchise cornerstone, Caitlin Clark, who is sidelined with a left quad strain.

Clark’s attendance has been immaculate throughout her collegiate and professional career–as this marks the first time she will miss a game since high school–so sitting out will be something the star guard will have to adjust to.

Caitlin Clark being out for multiple weeks is a bummer for the WNBA. It explains a lot, though. She missed the first preseason game with a "left leg injury" and hasn't looked like herself the past 2 games

Clear that there has been some nagging issue. Wish her a speedy recovery.

— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) May 26, 2025

Kate Martin, Clark’s former Iowa Hawkeye teammate and now Golden State Valkyrie, spoke to The Mirror and shed some light on how Clark could be dealing with being relegated to watching her team take the court from the bench.

“I know how much of a go-getter she is, so anything like this is going to stink. I know she just wants to be out there with her team, and she just wants to be playing all the time. So hopefully she can rest up and heal up soon.”

"You never want to see anybody get injured, and it just kills me. I know how much of a go-getter she is, so anything like this is going to stink."

I spoke to former Hawkeye Kate Martin about how Caitlin Clark is handling her recent health setback 👇https://t.co/ouzqGGGFC5 pic.twitter.com/Wr5FnYN5QL

— Matthew Neschis (@MNeschis) May 28, 2025

While this will be the first time Clark is missing an in-season game, she was out for the Fever’s first preseason game against the Mystics this season. But her impact was still felt by the team with Clark jumping up and calling plays out to her teammates from the sidelines.

It’s this competitive nature that Martin told The Mirror must make things “very difficult” for her to not take part in.

“She wants to be out there for a full 40 minutes every single game of every single season. And so it's not easy as a competitor to have to be held back,” Martin said. 

“That's the competitive nature. That's how passionate she is. And that's how much she cares about the game. So yeah, I obviously feel for her and I'm always going to be in her corner.”

Fever fans were also disheartened to hear the news that Clark is projected to miss at least two weeks of the season recovering, especially those who bought tickets specifically to see her in action.

“Everybody wanted her out on the court, so we never wanted her to sit out either,” Martin said. “I mean, I'm sure she pushed through a lot at Iowa and I'm sure she pushed through a lot last year too.”

You have to feel sorry for the @WashMystics fans, especially the parents who bought tickets for their kids to see Caitlin Clark play.

I am betting that if CC traveled with the team, she will be signing autographs for the kids.#WNBA @WNBA @IndianaFever #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/ZAMXFA0t1c

— Mike McDermott (@MikeMcDermottAK) May 28, 2025

Clark’s absence is a blow to her fans and teammates alike, but in the big picture, a few weeks off is a small price to pay for a career that will be undoubtedly stacked with highlights and memorable moments.