In a concerning moment for Indiana Fever fans, superstar guard Caitlin Clark was forced to leave Thursday's preseason matchup against the Dallas Wings after appearing to injure her right ankle. The incident occurred in the third quarter when Clark, known for her deep range and creative footwork, attempted one of her signature stepback three-pointers over Dallas forward Alanna Smith—the reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year.

As Clark came down from the shot, she landed awkwardly on Smith's foot, causing her right ankle to twist. The two-time All-Star immediately rolled over in pain before rising and limping toward her teammates and coaches gathered near the Fever bench. Officials reviewed the play and assessed Smith a flagrant foul for failing to provide Clark with adequate landing space.

Despite the pain, Clark stepped to the line and sank two of her three free-throw attempts before exiting the game with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter. The Fever training staff briefly examined her on the bench, but she did not retreat to the locker room—a positive sign for a player whose health is critical to Indiana's aspirations.

Before the injury, Clark was putting on a show, tallying 21 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting from the field while converting 11 of 13 free-throw attempts in just 16 minutes of action. She also dished out four assists and grabbed two rebounds, demonstrating the all-around game that has made her one of the WNBA's most electrifying talents.

This setback is particularly concerning given Clark's injury history. Her 2025 sophomore campaign was limited to just 13 games due to injury, and Thursday's contest was only her second game back since July, following the preseason opener against the New York Liberty on Saturday. As the Fever prepare for the regular season, all eyes will be on Clark's recovery and whether this ankle issue will impact her availability moving forward.