Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham strongly rejected Skip Bayless‘ recent speculation about Caitlin Clark’s injury during her Show Me Something podcast. Bayless, formerly with ESPN and FOX Sports, suggested that Clark was taking mental breaks rather than genuinely dealing with an injury. Cunningham labeled these claims as false, affirming that no one on the Fever is misrepresenting Clark’s condition.
Clark has been sidelined with a groin injury that worsened just before the WNBA All-Star Break and has not competed since July 15. Bayless had implied Clark might be avoiding the physical and verbal challenges she faces on the court, but Cunningham firmly pushed back on this assertion.
Clarifying the severity of Clark’s injuries and recovery status
Besides the groin issue, Clark is also managing a bone bruise in her left ankle, an injury she sustained during an August workout in Phoenix, according to FieldHouseFiles reporter Scott Agnes. The Indianapolis Star’s Chloe Peterson described the ankle injury as mild, and Coach Stephanie White reiterated that Clark’s recovery status remains unchanged with no new developments.
Until she can get into practice, and until you guys see her in practice, it’s really status quo, same as same as we have been,
White said.
Clark had been having a standout season before her injury, averaging 16.5 points, five rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. She sustained the groin injury during the closing minutes of Indiana’s July 15 game versus the Connecticut Sun, just before the All-Star Game—an event Indiana hosted this year.
Cunningham’s response highlights the difficulty of dealing with injury as an elite athlete
Cunningham emphasized the mental and emotional strain that comes with being unable to play at a high level. She called Bayless’ remarks “literally bullshit” and expressed frustration at the suggestion that Clark might be taking a break instead of recovering from injury.
Dude, that’s literally bullshit,
Cunningham stated.
No one’s lying. … Here’s the thing. When you’re an elite level player, you not being able to play is the hardest part – mentally, physically, emotionally. It’s not playing.
When you’re playing is when it’s part of it. You’re built for that. When people say stuff like that, I’m just like, ‘Just shut up, bud.’
Indiana Fever’s playoff hopes hinge on Clark’s return
Despite Clark’s extended absence, the Fever remain a contender in the WNBA standings with nine games left in the regular season and are positioned within the top eight teams that qualify for the playoffs. Coach Stephanie White expressed hope that Clark will be able to return before the season concludes.
Cunningham’s pushback against Bayless’ commentary reflects the frustration among players and staff surrounding misconceptions about Clark’s injury. Her remarks underscore the challenges elite athletes face when sidelined and highlight the importance of understanding the realities behind injury recoveries in professional sports.