The doctor has delivered unfortunate news about Caitlin Clark’s eye injury following a dirty play by Jacy Sheldon, revealing that she may be sidelined for up to two weeks and could experience reduced vision and accuracy in her long-range three-point shooting.

The WNBA world is holding its breath tonight after receiving concerning medical news about rising superstar Caitlin Clark, who suffered an eye injury following what many are calling a “dirty play” by Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon during Monday night’s heated matchup.

While initial reports downplayed the severity of the incident, a new medical update from the Indiana Fever’s team physician has cast a much more serious light on the situation. According to the team’s official statement released Tuesday morning, Clark may be sidelined for up to two weeks, and perhaps more disturbingly, the injury could affect her vision and long-range shooting accuracy — her most iconic skill.

“This is not just a bruise,” the doctor clarified. “There is localized swelling and retinal stress in her shooting eye, which we will be monitoring closely over the next 10 to 14 days.”

 

 

 

The injury occurred during the second quarter of a hard-fought game between the Fever and the Sun, when Clark drove to the rim and was struck near the eye by an aggressive swiping motion from Jacy Sheldon. No flagrant foul was called at the time — only a standard personal — a decision that has since drawn heavy criticism from fans, analysts, and former players alike.

Slow-motion replays show Sheldon’s hand clearly making high contact after Clark had already elevated. The incident immediately left Clark blinking and wincing in pain. She was removed from the game shortly afterward and did not return.

At first, the Fever organization called it a “precautionary measure,” but following Tuesday’s doctor briefing, it’s clear the concern is deeper than originally believed.

“There’s a risk of temporary visual distortion and depth perception disruption,” the statement continued. “That’s critical for a player like Caitlin, whose game is built around spatial precision, deep-range vision, and rapid shooting mechanics.”

For fans and teammates alike, the news is a gut punch. Clark has not only been the heart of the Fever’s resurgence — averaging 21.3 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game — she’s become the face of the league’s explosive growth in viewership and cultural relevance.

Now, all of that momentum is in jeopardy, at least temporarily.

“She’s our engine, our identity,” said a Fever teammate. “You can’t just replace Caitlin Clark.”

 

 

 

The reaction across the WNBA community has been swift and emotional. Social media erupted with the hashtag #ProtectCaitlin, with many accusing the league of not doing enough to protect its rising star from “excessive and targeted physicality.”

Former WNBA legend Lisa Leslie spoke out during a sports segment Tuesday morning:

“This isn’t about being soft. This is about fairness and safety. When your MVP-caliber rookies are being swiped at like that, and there’s no flagrant, you’ve got a problem.”

The Indiana Fever have also called for a review of the officiating from the game, and insiders say the league’s front office is “actively reviewing” the play involving Sheldon.

Meanwhile, Sheldon herself has issued a brief statement denying any malicious intent.

“I play hard, always have. I regret if there was any injury caused, but I was going for the ball. I respect Caitlin as a competitor.”

That statement has done little to calm the outrage.

“She doesn’t get to decide what was intentional,” one fan posted. “The replay speaks for itself.”

While Caitlin Clark has remained silent on the injury, sources close to her say she is frustrated but determined, already beginning light physical therapy and vision-focused recovery exercises. She is reportedly “resting in low light,” following doctor’s orders to reduce strain on her eye.

“She’s in good spirits, considering everything,” said one Fever trainer. “But she’s also furious. She wants to be out there. She knows this sets her rhythm back — and rhythm is everything in this league.”

The potential long-term impact remains unknown. While the team is optimistic about a full recovery, even a temporary loss of shooting sharpness could affect Clark’s rhythm and confidence — particularly when it comes to her trademark logo-range three-pointers.

Sports medicine experts weigh in with cautious optimism.

“The eye is a delicate organ,” one doctor said. “With proper care, she can fully recover. But there’s no rushing this. Even slight pressure or mistiming could lead to setbacks.”

Fans across the country are already rallying behind her, with hundreds of thousands posting messages of support. Even rivals have joined in.

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson tweeted:

“Hate to see this. Wishing you a speedy recovery, CC. The game needs you.”

With the Fever set to face a challenging lineup of games in the next two weeks, the timing could not be worse. But for Caitlin Clark, who’s already overcome criticism, physical targeting, and the relentless weight of expectation, this is just another battle to win.

And one thing is certain — when she returns, all eyes will be on her… quite literally.