The 2026 season will have many perks: WNBA, celebrating its 30th anniversary; players celebrating their mega CBA deal; and, for Fever fans, a possible return for Caitlin Clark. While the playmaker missed most of the 2025 season due to injury, she recently played for the Team USA national side. With a major accolade at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, she showed that she still can influence the game, despite an eight-month absence from the court.
But playing in the WNBA is a completely different story with 44 regular-season games, including a few back-to-back fixtures and a postseason. Also, the physicality in the league has been a big agenda with the 2025 WNBA season recording 254 injuries in total and seen as one of the most “injury-riddled” seasons in league history.
But the Fever rookie is ready for the challenge, as per her latest statements.
Caitlin Clark Ready For 2026 Season
Making her second appearance for the NBC pregame talk show, the 24-year-old was once again under the spotlight. This time it was quite a bigger one considering the season starting within a month and the player’s recent success with the national side. Talking about her WNBA franchise, Clark mentioned that re-signing Kelsey Mitchell is the Indiana Fever’s top priority, and about herself, she provided another positive update.
During her debut, the player mentioned that she is working on her injuries and hopes to get back on the court sooner. This time her answer was more positive as she said, “More than anything, I really did feel like myself. I feel really healthy. A lot of people put in a lot of time to get back there. It’s crazy to think it was 8 months. Just excited for the W season. I miss playing in front of fans in every city.”
Clark on playing in FIBA WC:
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) March 29, 2026
"More than anything, I really did feel like myself. I feel really healthy. A lot of people put in a lot of time to get back there. It's crazy to think it was 8 months. Just excited for the W season. I miss playing in front of fans in every city."
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CC’s return will surely add fuel to the Fever franchise’s quest for the championship. Without the playmaker, the team made it to the semifinals in the 2025 season, and now adding the top player will put them in the driver’s seat again, provided the franchise has a similar roster built around the former Iowa star.
Fans will also be excited to see her in action as her performances for Team USA have been very encouraging. CC spoke about Coach Kara Lawson’s advice in the competition.
Caitlin Clark Speaks About Advice From National Team Coach
Making her senior national team debut, the two-time All-Star remained one of Team USA’s key players. She not only led the side in scoring but also led the competition in assists. The reason for her impressive performance was tactics from coach Kara Lawson.
During her NBC show, Clark spoke about Lawson’s advice during the first game, as she said, “Be you. Play fast, play up-tempo that’s what I wanna see. But also, my playmaking ability is what I can bring to this team in setting everybody up and getting this team flowing and finding people in transition.”
Caitlin on what Kara Lawson told her before her first Team USA game
— correlation (@nosyone4) March 30, 2026
“Be you. Play fast, play uptempo that’s what I wanna see. but also my playmaking ability is what I can bring to this team in setting everybody up and get this team flowing and finding people in transition.” pic.twitter.com/ShJ5sspCF2
Interestingly, Fever Coach Stephanie White was also at the event as an assistant coach, and she was happy with Clark’s progress and performance at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Fans will be ready to see similar magic in the WNBA now.