Caitlin Clark Out vs. Sparks with Back Injury, Fever HC Updates Return Timeline

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White told reporters Friday that superstar guard Caitlin Clark will not play in Saturday's home game against the Los Angeles Sparks.

White added that there is "no indication" how much time Clark will miss, but with the Fever not playing again until July 5 after Saturday's game, she noted that it will be a "good time" for Clark to receive treatment and get healthy.

Clark exited during the third quarter of Wednesday's 111-109 loss to the Phoenix Mercury due to a back injury.

In the second quarter of that game, Clark went down while attempting to drive to the basket, and while she was prone on the court, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas appeared to press her fist into Clark's throat before stepping over her (beginning at the 3:45 mark of the video):

Although Thomas was not called for a foul, she was subsequently suspended for one game by the WNBA.

Statistically, Clark has been highly productive once again this season, as she is second on the team in scoring with 21.2 points per game, while also averaging 8.2 assists (second in the WNBA), 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 three-pointers made.

However, Clark already missed one game due to injury this season, and now she is poised to miss more time.

That comes on the heels of her being limited to only 13 contests last season because of quad and groin injuries.

Clark burst onto the scene in 2024 after going No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft, as she averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game en route to being named WNBA Rookie of the Year and finishing fourth in WNBA voting.

Despite being without Clark for most of last season, the Fever reached the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs, losing 3-2 to the eventual WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.

Expectations were high for the Fever this season with Clark returning to the fold, but it has been an up-and-down campaign for them thus far with a 10-8 record.

There is still more than half a season to play, so there is plenty of time for Indiana to get back on track, but being without Clark for even one game is not an ideal scenario for the Fever.