Caitlin Clark pushes back on ‘narratives’ about back injury

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 20: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on before the game against the Portland Fire on May 20, 2026 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by A.

J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images INDIANAPOLIS — What should have been a straightforward situation for Caitlin Clark in the Fever became something much bigger over the last week. On Wednesday, Clark was a late scratch for Indiana’s game against the Fire with a back injury after not appearing on the injury report.

In her pregame availability, head coach Stephanie White added to the confusion of Clark’s status and injury, noting that she did not practice the prior day and woke up with back soreness the morning of the game. Despite that, the team never indicated that she was dealing with a back injury before she was ruled out. The result was a warning from the league for failing to report Clark’s status leading up to the game.

Because the noise is always louder around Clark as well — and because of how the Fever handled the situation — there was also plenty of discussion about whether Clark was actually hurt, if the team was managing her workload and, generally, what was going on. Clark, herself, cleared the air prior to Friday’s game against the Valkyries in a very impassioned media availability. She detailed her two days leading up to Wednesday’s game and the timeline of events that led to her being ruled out, including her working out on Wednesday in an attempt to play before ultimately deciding to sit out.