Caitlin Clark Ruptured Eardrum On Hard Screen Vs. New York Liberty

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Three weeks ago, Caitlin Clark left a game at the Barclays Center with an injury. Now, the Indiana Fever rookie has confirmed that she suffered a ruptured eardrum during a hard screen against the New York Liberty.

When a reporter asked Clark on Saturday to describe her "welcome to the WNBA" moment, she pointed to that injury sustained on June 2.

"I actually ruptured my eardrum when we were in New York on a tough screen," she said. "So, if I had to pick one right now, it would probably be that.

"But, great screens. I just didn’t hear them. So, it’s kind of my own fault."

The injury happened in the fourth quarter of what turned out to be a blowout loss for the Fever, and some fans on social media have pointed to Jonquel Jones’ screen as the source of the injury. Clark was guarding Courtney Vandersloot as she dribbled the ball up the floor. Jones set the screen, and Clark ran right into the 6-foot-6 former WNBA MVP.

But Clark never specified which play was to blame.

After initially going into the locker room with a trainer, Clark eventually returned to the bench, but she did not get back into the game. The 22-year-old explained that the ruptured ear drum made it tougher for her to hear initially, but there weren't any other symptoms that would force her to miss time. She was cleared to practice before Indiana's next game on June 7, according to the Indy Star's Chloe Peterson.

But that certainly wasn't the first — or the last — physical play Clark has been a part of. Aggressiveness toward the No. 1 overall pick became a focal point after the Chicago Sky's Chennedy Carter hip checked her to the ground during a game on June 1. And now it seems every opposing team is eager to give her more "welcome to the WNBA" moments.

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Still, after a rough start to the season, Clark and Indiana are rolling. The Fever have now won four straight as they enter Sunday's re-match against Carter, Angel Reese and the Sky.