Caitlin Clark shakes off ankle injury as Fever fall short of 1st win - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — As if the massive expectations and brutal opening schedule weren't significant enough challenges for Caitlin Clark to confront at the start of her WNBA career, she faced another culprit Monday night: her left ankle.

The Indiana Fever rookie and No. 1 draft pick, who has been the subject of unrelenting defensive focus while transitioning to the pro game, rolled her ankle in the second quarter of the Fever's 88-84 loss to the Connecticut Sun, an injury that left Clark sprawled on the court and clutching her ankle in pain.

Clark was unable to get to her feet unassisted and limped to the locker room immediately after being helped up. A sellout home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse fell silent as Clark's teammates surrounded her. Meanwhile, her coach held her breath.

«I was worried,» Indiana's Christie Sides said. «A lot.»

It was the latest in a series of obstacles Clark has dealt with to start her highly anticipated rookie season. But just as Clark has managed to keep her composure in the face of other challenges, she similarly shook off the ankle injury, returning for the second half to key a late run that positioned the Fever (0-4) to nearly pull off an upset for what would have been their first win.

«Every basketball player's had an ankle injury,» Clark said, downplaying the injury after her 17-point, five-assist effort. «If you [haven't], you're not a true baller, I guess. I don't know. It'll be a little stiff, but I'll be good.»

The Fever now have a pair of losses to both the Sun and New York Liberty, experienced teams that are a combined 7-0. The losses are mounting and so, too, is some frustration. But Monday's game was Indiana's most competitive performance to date, and Clark's contributions went a long