Caitlin Clark to Miss Game Against Sparks Due to Back Injury

Caitlin Clark injury update took another disappointing turn Friday after Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White confirmed the All-Star guard will miss Saturday's home game against the Los Angeles Sparks because of a lingering back injury. The setback comes two days after Clark exited the Fever's loss to the Phoenix Mercury in the third quarter and did not return. Clark's absence is significant for an Indiana team trying to stay on track during the middle of the WNBA season. While White expressed optimism about Clark's recovery, she declined to provide a timetable, making the upcoming week-long break a crucial window for the franchise's leading playmaker.

Is Caitlin Clark alright?

White struck a reassuring tone despite confirming Clark would sit out Saturday's contest. "Obviously, it's a good time (for Clark to recover) because we have all week next week (without games)," White said, via The Athletic. "So we'll take all week next week just to get her treatment, get her healthy, get her back on the floor and see what happens. … Long-term health and wellness is the most important thing." The coach added that Clark is "OK," but admitted she had "no indication" how long the injury could keep her sidelined. Clark has battled back discomfort throughout the season. She missed Indiana's May 20 victory over the Portland Fire because of a sore back and has appeared on the injury report as probable before multiple games. She also revealed earlier this season that she had been receiving treatment throughout the year. "I don't think it necessarily started at a certain point," Clark said in May. "It's just been over the course of the last year when I've kind of been understanding my body more. … Still working through that, but I don't think it's anything of concern."

Wednesday's loss to Phoenix raised fresh concerns after Clark aggravated the injury during the second half. The incident came after a physical sequence involving Mercury veteran Alyssa Thomas, whose contact to Clark's throat during a loose-ball scramble was later upgraded by the WNBA to a Flagrant 2 foul. Thomas received the first suspension of her 13-year career. White criticized officials for missing the play in real time. "I was more surprised that it wasn't seen by the officials in real time," White said. "… Sometimes I feel like all of the officials are watching the ball, and no one is watching the play. We have a player that's down on the ground. Certainly, some things are going to happen. So I was very disappointed that they didn't see that in real time."

When will Caitlin Clark return?

At this stage, there is no confirmed return date. The timing of the Fever's schedule could work in Clark's favor. Following Saturday's matchup against Los Angeles, Indiana will not play again until July 5 against the Las Vegas Aces, giving Clark more than a week to recover. White emphasized that the organization will not rush its franchise guard back onto the floor. "Again, we want her to be healthy, physically, mentally, emotionally, all of the things," White said. "It's important to remember, again, when you've gone through injury and the traumatic aspect of injury, especially that she had last year, it's ups and downs. … Making sure that she's 100 percent ready to go is the most important thing, and her taking care of that is (a) priority for us."

In Clark's absence, veteran Tyasha Harris is expected to move into the starting lineup, while Kelsey Mitchell and rookie Raven Johnson will shoulder additional ballhandling responsibilities. Clark has still produced at an elite level despite managing the injury, averaging 21.2 points, 8.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds across 17 games this season.

Indiana Fever's upcoming schedule

Date

Opponent

Time (CT)

TV

June 27

vs. Los Angeles Sparks

7 p.m.

CBS

July 5

at Las Vegas Aces

6 p.m.

ESPN

July 8

at Los Angeles Sparks

9 p.m.

USA Network

July 9

at Phoenix Mercury

9 p.m.

Amazon Prime Video

July 12

at Las Vegas Aces

8 p.m.

NBC

The extended break gives Indiana its best opportunity yet to get Clark healthy before a demanding stretch featuring two meetings with the Aces and another matchup against the Mercury, a team that handed the Fever one of their toughest losses of the season.