Caitlin Clark returns to Fever lineup after late scratch with back injury, official warning
Clark was listed as "probable" ahead of Friday's game against the Valkyries, and is now officially available for the matchup.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is back in the lineup after missing a game with back soreness — an injury designation that led the team to get an official warning from the league . Clark was listed as “probable” ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. The team announced on Friday that she would be active.
Status Update: Caitlin Clark (back) is available for tonight's game. https://t. co/1lFgLoAZqy — Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 22, 2026 On Wednesday, Clark was ruled out of the Fever’s game against the Portland Fire with a back injury just two hours before tipoff.
Clark’s injury was initially called a “a strategic management plan,” pointing to a potential load management strategy — something that the league frowns upon. Additionally, Clark had not been listed on the Fever’s injury report on Tuesday. In the press conference prior to the game, Indiana head coach Stephanie White seemingly pivoted, saying Clark missed practice on Tuesday to get treatment and woke up feeling stiff on Wednesday.
She also made a point of saying that it wasn’t load management: “She's healthy. We're not managing anything,” White said. Even with White changing the narrative, the handling of Clark’s injury opened the team up to punishment from the league.