Caitlin Clark probable (back) for Fever’s game against Golden State Valkyries
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was listed as probable with a back injury on the team’s injury report a day before Friday’s home contest against the Golden State Valkyries. The injury update came roughly 24 hours after Clark was ruled out of Wednesday’s home game against the Portland Fire because “her back is sore,” Fever coach Stephanie White said after Indiana cruised to a 90-73 victory. The third-year pro left the season-opener for treatment on her back, which she said gets “out of line” quickly.
Though the Fever aren’t expressing long-term concern about Clark’s availability so early in the season, her absences are being scrutinized by fans and media after her injury-plagued 2025 campaign. Clark, a two-time All-Star, averaged 24. 3 points, nine assists and five rebounds in her first four games last season before missing her first game, and she ultimately played in only 13 games due to various lower-body injuries.
White said before this season started that the Fever would closely monitor Clark’s workload. However, she dismissed the notion that her absence Wednesday was part of a season-long management plan. “Absolutely not,” White said.
“She’s healthy. We’re not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we gave the time to be ready.
” Clark played a season-low 24 minutes in the Fever’s home win over the Seattle Storm on Sunday. She was at practice Tuesday but did not participate, White said. Instead of practicing, Clark received treatment on her back and went through workouts after practice, according to White, but she was not listed on the Fever’s injury report that day.