Caitlin Clark has been out of action since July due to a groin injury. She is set to miss the rest of the 2025 WNBA season, which shifts focus to Paige Bueckers.
On Instagram this past Thursday, Clark expressed disappointment about missing the season. The female star shared how she spent hours in the gym every day, hoping to get back, but the scenario seems to be entirely different.
Paige Bueckers, who is one of the most talked-about rookies this season, has seemingly surpassed Clark in the statistical category. According to analyst Sabreena Merchant, Bueckers was behind net ratings than Clark; however, her slow differential has been impressive in her rookie season.
“Although Bueckers had a worse net rating than Clark (minus-5.0 compared to minus-2.4), her on-off differential has been better in her rookie season. The detail shows how impactful Paige Bueckers has been when on the court, even if her team’s overall efficiency rating dipped compared to Clark’s.
Caitlin Clark’s Absence Shifts Attention To The Next Rising Star
Clark and Bueckers are two of the best talents in the WNBA. Clark has been labeled as the next big thing for the past few years; however, her injury has become a major setback in her rise.
Bueckers, on the other hand, has been giving consistent performances and is leaving Clark behind in numbers and statistics. She’s establishing herself as the key player who helps raise those around her.
This is both players’ rookie year, and despite there being no rivalry between them, we can still spark some heat around the idea. However, only time will tell which WNBA star is better by the end of the rookie year.
How Paige Bueckers Could Seize The Spotlight In Clark’s Absence
During Caitlin Clark’s absence, Bueckers added another milestone to her impressive list of rookie accomplishments. The WNBA announced her as the league’s top newcomer for August.
This once again sparked comparisons between her and Clark. The announcement also puts her in a very rare position, as this year’s rookie class has been stacked with talent. Bueckers knows how to maintain consistency and welcomes the challenge of the long season along with its heavy responsibilities.
Clark, on the other hand, continues to recover from her injury. Her hopes to return this season were crushed once she announced that the healing process was taking time. We do know that Clark can bounce back, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she reaches the top of the chart once again after her return.
Published: Sep 5, 2025 02:00 pm