Caitlin Clark (Photo via @IndianaFever/Twitter)
Caitlin Clark might be sidelined, but she’s still finding ways to leave her mark on game day- even if it involves a bouncy ball gone rogue.

Ahead of the Indiana Fever’s matchup against the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night, the reigning Rookie of the Year tried to keep things light during warmups with some playful antics. However, one of her pregame “shenanigans” took an unexpected turn when her bouncy ball hopped into the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd.

Clark immediately apologized to the fan, smiling through it all as teammates laughed along.

The Fever went on to snap a three-game losing streak with a crucial 85–76 win, thanks to a strong showing from Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull in the backcourt. Clark cheered from the bench, clearly itching to get back on the court. She’s currently out with a quad injury and isn’t expected to be re-evaluated for at least another week.

Fans React To The “Big Kid” Moment

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (Photo By Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
While Clark wasn’t in uniform, her courtside energy didn’t go unnoticed. Fans on social media lit up with reactions to the accidental bouncy ball moment, which quickly made the rounds on X.

“CC so funny,” one fan posted with a laughing emoji.

“CC has more content generated while on the sideline vs on the court,” another joked.

“She really is like a big kid I swear. I love it,” wrote one user, summing up the mood.

Others pointed out the chemistry between Clark and teammate Aliyah Boston, praising their genuine connection. “You can tell CC and Steph genuinely like each other as people, and it’s the cutest thing,” said another fan.

Despite the injury, Clark hasn’t faded into the background. She leads the WNBA in assists with 9.3 per game and remains a key part of the Fever’s locker room vibe. A clip of her bouncing on the sidelines, visibly antsy, only reinforced how badly she wants to return.

“She’s so dang antsy in all these clips,” one fan noted. “Definitely dying to get back on the court. Love the culture around this team!”

The fever will need that culture to keep carrying it through. Until Clark returns, her presence, whether she’s slinging assists or tossing stray bouncy balls, still seems to energize the squad.