Caitlin Clark has been handed an Olympic lifeline as the key Team USA star faces a race against time to be fit

Caitlin Clark may have a chance at the Olympics after all, as one of Team USA’s key players continues to battle an injury problem.

Clark, the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft, was controversially left off Cheryl Reeve’s main roster for this summer’s Games in Paris despite her record-breaking college success with Iowa and strong start to major league life with Indiana.

The 22-year-old was instead named an alternate, meaning she is one of the first in line if a Team USA player has to withdraw from the roster.

And with Diana Taurasi currently battling a leg injury, the door could still be open for Clark to receive a surprise last-minute call-up to the Olympic team.

Taurasi, a six-time Olympian and Phoenix Mercury guard who was one of Reeve’s most important players heading into this summer’s Games, has missed her team’s last four WNBA games because of the issue.

She is also unavailable for the Mercury’s game against Clark and the Fever on Friday, meaning her chances of making it to Paris are uncertain.

Given that she plays the same position, Clark would be the most obvious replacement for Taurasi if she loses her race against time to get fit.

Reeve sparked outrage by leaving the Fever sensation off his Olympic roster this summer, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy calling the U.S. officials behind the decision “stupid women.”

“Hey, you idiots,” Portnoy ranted in a social media video. “For the first time in the history of basketball, you have arguably the most popular player in the world.

“You can say that Caitlin Clark is the most popular and eye-catching basketball player in the world. You can say that. And you leave her off the Olympic team?”

Clark brought unprecedented attention to women’s basketball during her college years with Iowa and is already drawing new eyes to the sport in the WNBA, with a number of rival teams moving their games against Indiana to larger stadiums to accommodate the increased demand.

After previously being criticized for suggesting she wasn’t ready for the big leagues, Taurasi praised Clark after Phoenix’s loss to Indiana last month.

“It’s incredible what Caitlin has managed to do in her short career so far,” the 42-year-old said. “It’s just remarkable.”

“What she’s done for the game has been pretty incredible and (having) that momentum coming out of college, eyes on you for four straight years.”

When healthy, Taurasi continued to show why she is one of the most talented players in the WNBA this season, averaging 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

Clark, meanwhile, is averaging 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game, with her superb start to the season rewarded with a trip to the WNBA All-Star Game.