Kansas State toppled No. 6 Iowa, stunning the Hawkeyes inside Bramlage Coliseum by the final tally of 84-83.
For a moment, it looked like Iowa star big Monika Czinano would be headed to the free throw line with a chance to tie and potentially win the game as she was fouled at the buzzer. Instead, after review, the foul was deemed after triple zeroes hit the clock, and the Wildcats’ upset win remained intact. It was probably the right call, but that’s neither here nor there.
More important than any of that is Caitlin Clark’s health status. During the final play, Clark crumpled to the floor after receiving the inbounds pass. She managed to send the pass to a teammate who found Czinano underneath. Clark had to be helped off the floor.
Again, much larger than the game itself is what does the health status look like for Clark moving forward? Not to speculate on an injury too much without full knowledge, but the initial news is better than perhaps it could have been. It’s an ankle injury and not a knee.
Afterwards, Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder didn’t have an official injury update beyond the fact that Clark had twisted her ankle.
Postgame, @IowaWBB coach Lisa Bluder said there wasn’t official update on @CaitlinClark22 except she twisted her ankle, as she had in game earlier this season.
— M.A. Voepel (@MAVoepel) November 18, 2022
Just now, @CaitlinClark22 exited @IowaWBB locker room for long walk up Bramlage Coliseum ramp to bus at K-State. Left ankle wrapped in ace bandage, and she was walking gingerly but without any aid.
— M.A. Voepel (@MAVoepel) November 18, 2022
There’s no sense speculating on the injury any more than that at the moment and Iowa fans—and really every women’s basketball fan, too—is just hoping it’s nothing more than a twisted ankle and a temporary scare.
The Iowa fans’ reactions illustrate how much this fan base loves Clark. There was also a fair bit of frustration with how the game was officiated.