'Load management in year three'? Why Fever's handling of Caitlin Clark is drawing scrutiny

'Load management in year three'? Why Fever's handling of Caitlin Clark is drawing scrutiny originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

Perhaps incredibly, the Indiana Fever 's straightforward 90-73 win over the Portland Fire on Wednesday night -- featuring stingy defense, crisp rotations and efficient shooting -- might bring about more problems than solutions for the Fever and the player widely regarded as their superstar. Hours after she appeared with teammate Aliyah Boston on the "Post Moves" podcast, Clark was ruled out for the Fever's game against the expansion Fire. The reason?

Back stiffness , a malady which lent itself to some mixed messaging from the franchise. "Fever guard Caitlin Clark will NOT play tonight vs Portland Fire. I’m told it’s part of a strategic management plan for the season," Fever reporter Scott Agness wrote on X.

"Tonight is the Fever’s fourth game in eight days. " MORE : Why Caitlin Clark's late injury scratch could lead to WNBA punishing Fever However, Fever head coach Stephanie White said that Clark's absence was not a matter of load management -- which is going to catch the league's attention, as Clark did not appear on a pregame injury report. "She's healthy," White said pregame .