The 2026 ESPY Award nominees were officially announced on Thursday, but one of the biggest names in basketball was nowhere to be found. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who captured the 2025 ESPY for Best WNBA Player after a record-breaking rookie season, did not receive a nomination this year.
While Clark remains one of the league's most recognizable stars and continues to put up elite numbers when healthy, her 2026 campaign has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries. Those setbacks have limited her availability and, ultimately, appear to have cost her an opportunity to be recognized at this year's awards.
For a player who has become one of the faces of the WNBA, it was an unfortunate piece of career news during what has already been a frustrating season.
Caitlin Clark Left Off 2026 ESPY nominees
ESPN officially unveiled the nominees for the 2026 ESPY Awards on Thursday, with the annual ceremony scheduled for July 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Comedian Marcello Hernández will host the event.
Clark's name was not among this year's nominees, marking a notable absence after she was one of the featured winners at last year's ceremony.
The Fever guard claimed the 2025 ESPY for Best WNBA Player following a sensational rookie campaign that included WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, All-WNBA First Team recognition and several league records. This year, however, injuries have made it difficult for her to build a similar award-worthy résumé.
Injuries Defined Much of Clark's Season
When Clark has been available, she has continued to perform like one of the WNBA's premier guards, averaging more than 20 points and over eight assists per game. Unfortunately for both Clark and the Fever, staying on the court has been the biggest challenge.
She missed time earlier this season because of back tightness before returning to Indiana's lineup. Then, during Wednesday night's 111-109 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, Clark exited after suffering another apparent back injury following a hard fall.
The latest injury came after another physical game against Phoenix and added to what has become an injury-filled season for the Fever star. Rather than consistently building momentum, Clark has repeatedly had to battle her way back onto the floor.
Last season, Clark played in just 13 games for the Fever.
Fever Hoping Second Half Brings Better Luck
Despite Clark's absences, Indiana remains in playoff position at 10-8 and still has aspirations of making a deep postseason run.
The Fever have looked like one of the league's most explosive offensive teams whenever Clark has been healthy enough to lead the offense, making her availability one of the biggest factors in the team's outlook for the remainder of the season.
Although Clark won't be adding another ESPY nomination to her resume this year, she'll have an opportunity to remind everyone why she's one of the WNBA's brightest stars if she can finish the season healthy.
