📉 Caitlin Clark’s Shooting Woes: History’s Worst 3‑Point Four‑Game Stretch, Massive Pressure—and Still No Quit

1. A Rookie Year of Promise Turns into a Sophomore Slump

Caitlin Clark arrived in the WNBA with massive hype, breaking attendance and viewership records, selling out jerseys, and carrying the Indiana Fever to new visibility. Her rookie season ended with solid stats: 34.4% from deep, averaging near 19 PPG and elite assist numbers. But entering her second year, the shine began fading due to inconsistent health and deteriorating shot efficiency. (turn0news17, turn0search4)

Despite missing games due to soft-tissue injuries, Clark continued to post strong assist numbers—hovering at 8.8 APG—yet her shooting took a steep dive. Mid-season, her season cumulative 3-point percentage dropped to 27.9%, a historic low for her career. (turn0news15, turn0search10, turn0search6)

2. Catastrophic Stretch: 3-of-28 from Deep Over Four Games

The most uncomfortable truth came after a four-game span that produced a historic mark: 3-of-28 from 3-point range, a mere 10.7%, making it the worst such stretch in WNBA history with at least 25 attempts. (turn0search0, turn0search1)

Clark’s performance over that stretch:

Game 1 (vs Seattle): 1-of-23 from deep, only six points, and eight turnovers—a rare sight for the usually efficient star. (turn0search2, turn0search7)

Game 2 (Golden State): Rebounded modestly with 10 points on 4-of-12 FG, 2-of-5 from three—her best since mid-June. But the slump persisted. (turn0search0, turn0search24)

Game 3 (vs Atlanta Dream): 12 points, 9 assists, but only 1-of-7 on threes.

Game 4 (vs Dallas Wings): Scored 14 points (4-of-12 FG, 2-of-7 from deep) and added 13 assists—another solid playmaking night overshadowed by shooting woes. (turn0search5)

The slump wasn’t just bad—it was historically bad.

3. Clark Speaks: Frustration, Balance, and Resilience

During press availability following the Wings game, Clark was candid:

“I’m not a very patient person… my shot feels really good and I feel like it’s right there. So it’s like, come on, when am I going to have one of those games? … I know it’s coming.” (turn0search10)

She denied any mechanical issues:

“I don’t feel like it’s anything mechanically or [that there’s] something wrong with my shot … The best in the world go through it.” (turn0search10, turn0search1)

Explaining deeper, she highlighted the importance of foot placement:

“When I’m missing shots, a lot of the time it’s my feet… if I’m balanced… I still feel like I have a great chance at making it.” (turn0search1)

Coach Stephanie White echoed the sentiment, calling for better shot quality and team execution rather than criticizing Clark’s mechanics:

“I’m not worried about Caitlin’s shot. Caitlin’s shot is going to be just fine.” (turn0search9)

4. Pressure, Injuries, and Unfair Expectations

Clark’s decline is not happening in a vacuum.

Earlier in 2025, she missed five games with a quadriceps injury, returned briefly, then missed another stretch due to a groin injury, forcing her out of the All-Star Game entirely. Medical reports confirm this was her third soft-tissue injury this season. (turn0news15, turn0news16, turn0search24)

Rookie Paige Bueckers—herself under tough scrutiny—defended Clark’s mental state, noting the “inhumane” pressure she faces every night:

“The pressure … really challenged me mentally … knowing this is all going to certainly pay off at some point.” (turn0search6, turn0news20)

Bueckers pointed out how expectations to perform at perfection—night after night—simply aren’t realistic.

5. Stats vs. Story: Clark’s Still Impacting Games

Even amid the slump, Clark has kept delivering across the box score:

Leads team in assists, with over 8.6 APG this season.

Plays confidently on the court—racking up rebounds, steals, and drawing fouls.

In the Wings game, she tallied 13 assists, 5 steals, and continued her streak of high-level playmaking. (turn0search5)

Analysts emphasize that Clark remains a centerpiece for Indiana—both as a lead guard and a cultural symbol. Her influence helped draw record crowds and secure major endorsements like a $28 million Nike deal. (turn0news14, turn0news13)

6. Historical Comparison & Future Outlook

Her three-game stretch of 1-for-23 from deep is unprecedented in her WNBA career—and incredibly rare in her time at Iowa as well. Statistics from her college days show she rarely went multiple games without a made three-pointer. (turn0search2, turn0reddit22)

Yet her past rebounds from slumps—like hitting 20 threes in five games after a poor stretch at Iowa—suggest fans should expect a turnaround. (turn0search7)

With hard work, rhythm, and health support, Clark may return stronger. She has already rebounded from adversity in college and last season. Supporting quotes from veteran coaches and teammates keep the narrative hopeful.

7. Why This Matters for WNBA & Fever

Clark’s slump and injury highlights a larger challenge facing the WNBA: the league’s rapid growth invites intense media scrutiny on every superstar misstep.

But stories from players like Clark and comments from Bueckers show solidarity within the roster—an acknowledgment that mental resilience matters just as much as physical health.

Statistical leaders like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Clark herself continue to shape MVP races. Her current ranking sits at seventh amid injuries and slumping stats. (turn0news19)

Even with ups and downs, Clark draws consistent attention—and her team continues to lean on core players like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell when she’s sidelined. (turn0news21)

8. Final Word: Slump is Deep, But Clark Isn’t Done

Clark’s 10.7% 3-point clip over four games isn’t just bad—it’s the worst in WNBA history for 25+ attempts. (turn0search1, turn0search4)

She’s still averaging strong assist totals and contributing across the board, even when her shot isn’t falling. (turn0search10, turn0search5)

Injury disruptions and defensive focus have contributed—but much of Clark’s response has been mental preparation and stubborn persistence. (turn0search3)

Whether Clark pulls herself from this slump or continues to be the face of the league depends on her upcoming stretch of games. But one thing is clear: this period is forging her resilience—and that may matter even more than a shooting percentage bouncing back.