Caitlin Clark made a highly-anticipated return to the court Wednesday night after missing the Indiana Fever’s previous two games with a back injury. But the All-Star guard could not help Indiana to a third consecutive victory, finishing with just nine points, four rebounds and three assists while playing on minutes restriction. Clark went 4-for-12 from the field in 16 minutes as the Fever lost 106-92 to the Los Angeles Sparks.
It marked Clark’s first appearance since exiting Indiana’s win over the Phoenix Mercury nearly two weeks ago after aggravating her back.
Clark’s performance was a steep drop from what has been another outstanding individual campaign. Following Wednesday’s game, she is averaging 20.5 points, 7.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 18 games, with her assists average ranked second only to Alyssa Thomas this season.
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The Fever, however, will not have Clark’s high level production when they travel to the Valley to face the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday. Before Wednesday’s game, head coach Stephanie White confirmed that Clark will sit out the second night of Indiana’s back-to-back, with the team opting to continue managing her return from injury.
Clark also addressed her status before taking the floor against the Sparks, explaining that her absence on Thursday is part of a carefully planned recovery process, and not another setback.
“I feel good. Just taking it game by game. It’s tough to come back on a back to back so … I won’t be available tomorrow (in Phoenix) … solely because of just minute restriction and my progression back,” Clark said (Fieldhouse Files’ Scott Agness).
The Fever remain determined not to repeat what happened a season ago. Clark’s 2025 campaign was limited to just 13 games after she battled a series of injuries, including a quadriceps strain and a groin injury that ultimately ended her season.
Indiana reached the WNBA semifinals last season before falling short to the Las Vegas Aces. Entering Thursday’s matchup, the Fever (12-9) sit seventh in the WNBA standings, now 3.5 games behind the first-place Minnesota Lynx.
