Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, recently revealed the painful moment she knew she had officially arrived in the league. The Indiana Fever guard shared the story on the latest episode of Jason and Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, recounting a tough lesson in the WNBA’s physicality. Clark, 22, detailed how she ruptured her eardrum after being blindsided by a hard screen during a blowout loss to the New York Liberty on June 2 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
“Somebody set a screen on me, and I hit my ear just perfectly on the girl where my eardrum popped and ruptured,” Clark explained. “I knew it right away because I’ve done it before [while tubing in a lake]. It hurt so bad … That was my ‘welcome to the WNBA’ moment.”
The Injury and Its Aftermath
Clark’s injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Fever’s 104-68 loss to the Liberty. The impact left her temporarily sidelined as she was examined by the Fever’s trainer, Todd Champlin. Though she returned to the bench, Clark didn’t re-enter the game.
Despite the severity of the injury, the rookie guard didn’t miss any games. However, the ruptured eardrum came with lingering discomfort and complications.
“My ear didn’t bleed, but my hearing was definitely off for a few weeks,” Clark said. “It takes months to heal. After the season, the doctor had to go back and check to see if it had closed. If it doesn’t close, you have to have a minor procedure. Luckily for me, it closed on its own, so I was fine.”
In the days following the injury, Clark downplayed the specifics when speaking to reporters, opting not to share the graphic details. “I don’t want to explain it—it’s probably pretty gross,” she said at the time. “But no, I feel fine. I can’t hear great out of one of my ears.”
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A Grueling Adjustment to the WNBA
The injury was a stark reminder of the WNBA’s physicality, which Clark admitted required some adjustment. Known for her dominance in college—where she became the NCAA’s all-time Division 1 scoring leader for men and women—Clark faced a steeper learning curve in the professional ranks.
Still, the Nike athlete made a seamless transition overall, earning WNBA All-Star honors and capturing the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award.
Her ability to excel despite the physical challenges proved why she was one of the most highly anticipated rookies in league history.
Reflecting on Growth and Resilience
Clark’s rookie season was filled with memorable moments, but the eardrum injury stands out as a defining experience. It not only tested her physical toughness but also showcased her resilience. Through it all, Clark continued to lead her team and demonstrate why she’s a rising star in the league.
Looking back, Clark shared a mix of humor and pride about her “welcome to the WNBA” moment. “It hurt so bad,” she admitted, “but it’s part of the game. You take the hits and keep going. That’s what makes it all worth it.”
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