Kate Linklark is known for her impressive skills on the basketball court, yet her health has posed some challenges this season.
Despite an unbroken record during her high school and college years, this year she found herself sidelined for 10 games, including nine regular season match-ups and the Commissioner’s Cup finals, due to two separate injuries.
“I was mentally engaged, just trying to stay focused,” Clark remarked on Tuesday ahead of her return following a recent injury that coincided with the Valkyries’ 80-61 loss at home.
“It was definitely tough, and I think it was especially hard since I had never faced that before,” she admitted.
Clark is hoping to avoid further injury in this sophomore season, particularly since she missed five games in late May and early June because of a left quad issue.
She managed to return to action on June 14th but faced another setback with an injury to her left groin shortly after.
While Clark was out, Indiana recorded a 3-2 record, which included a victory over the Lynx in the Cup Title Game, bringing their total to 5-5 without her presence.
In her recent return against the Valkyries, Clark notched 10 points on 12 shots over 25 minutes.
“It feels great to be back,” Clark expressed. “It takes some time to build up my stamina again. Nothing really replicates actual game play. I felt alright, though balancing things out can be tricky; sitting on the bench can almost be tougher than being on the court. I had to find my rhythm in the fourth quarter to get my wind back.”
The Fever currently holds an 8-9 record, finding themselves in a three-way tie for seventh place. Expectations are elevated this season following several strategic offseason signings aimed at boosting their title chances.
If the Fever hope to maintain their championship aspirations, Clark’s health and performance will be essential.
This season, her scoring and shooting percentages are lower compared to her rookie year, averaging 17.4 points at a 38.6% shooting rate, alongside a three-point percentage of 30.1%.
In contrast, the former Iowa standout averaged 19.2 points with a 41.7% shooting rate last season, along with a three-point percentage of 34.4%.
Clark remains optimistic that her efforts will pay off as the season progresses.
“I think it’s been a fantastic learning opportunity for me,” she said. “When I reflect on the end of the year and head into the playoffs, I want to feel proud of how I’ve handled everything.”
