Caitlin Clark played the worst game of her entire life against the New York Liberty on June 2, 2024 and it can be traced back to a vicious blindside screen that left her with a very uncomfortable injury. The new revelation provides so much clarity on a truly horrendous performance.
She ruptured her eardrum!
Clark, who is averaging 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game, scored just three points with two boards and five assists during an ugly loss on the second day of June. It was her worst competitive basketball game in at least four years, if not ever. The Fever got smoked by 36.
Not long thereafter, Clark revealed that she was dealing with a “pretty gross” injury but did not say what it was. Ear pain was involved. No further details were provided.
As it would turn out, Clark actually ruptured her eardrum during the abysmal performance against New York. A photo from that game shows the discomfort in real-time.
Clark was asked about her “welcome to the WNBA” moment in a press conference on Friday. There have been a few, and they all stem from blindside screens. One violent collision against the Liberty caused the ear injury.
Caitlin Clark on her “Welcome to the W” moment:
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) June 21, 2024
“I actually ruptured my ear drum when we were in New York on a tough screen….great screens, I just didn’t hear them. So, it’s kind of my own fault.”
(Q: @3ptCnvrsn) #WNBA pic.twitter.com/XBJFUJ0wZt
Although Clark did not clarify the specific incident, it likely happened against Jonquel Jones— who is 6-foot-6, 215 pounds. The former never saw the latter. She got rocked.
Caitlin Clark revealed in an interview that she ruptured an eardrum running into a screen against the New York Liberty
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) June 21, 2024
“great screens, I just didn’t hear them. So, it’s kind of my own fault.”#WNBA pic.twitter.com/l8tuV6sL1b
Ruptured eardrums, and ear injuries in general, often cause balance issues. The vestibular system, which coordinates eye movements, posture, and equilibrium, is housed in the ear.
For Caitlin Clark to play the worst game of her entire life on the same day that she ruptured her eardrum makes perfect sense. She was completely off-balance and unaware of her surroundings. It threw her off of her rhythm and prevented her from playing at her best.