Caitlin Clark's back injury.
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark leaves game in third quarter with a back injury.
Caitlin Clark left the Indiana Fever's 111-109 loss to the Phoenix Mercury with a back injury in the third quarter on June 24, retreating to the locker room with 5:15 remaining and never returning. Associated Press reported she finished with 19 points and 8 assists in just 20 minutes before the early exit.
The injury is not new. Clark has been listed as "Probable (back)" on 13 consecutive injury reports this season, according to The Big Lead. She had been cleared as "Available" just hours before tip-off on Tuesday night.
How the Injury Unfolded Quarter by Quarter
Warning signs appeared early. In the first quarter, Clark briefly exited to the tunnel and returned to the bench wearing a back wrap, Associated Press noted. Then in the second quarter, she fell to the floor after a fouled three-point attempt by Phoenix forward Valeriane Ayayi and appeared to tweak her back on the way down.
The third quarter proved to be too much. Clark walked off with 5:15 left and did not come back. Without her, Indiana could not hold on, dropping a two-point heartbreaker to Phoenix. The Fever fall to 10-8 on the season, third in the Eastern Conference, according to WIBC.
Clark's Back Has Been a Season-Long Issue
The trouble started back on May 20, when Clark was a late scratch against the Portland Fire. The Fever failed to list her on the official injury report until 100 minutes before tip-off. The WNBA issued the team a formal warning for the late disclosure, according to Sportsnet.
Since then, the team has kept her on the report as "Probable" for nearly every game. Clark has previously said her back "gets out of line pretty quickly." She has missed only one full game this season — May 20 — before Tuesday's exit. She is averaging 20.8 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game this year, per StatMuse.
Physical Play and a Growing Technical Foul Problem
Tuesday's game was also chippy. Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas appeared to make contact with Clark's neck while she was on the floor in the first half, drawing attention from analysts and fans, according to Athlon Sports. Clark has been at the center of physical play all season, particularly on three-point attempts where defenders close out recklessly.
Clark now has five technical fouls on the season. Under WNBA rules, an eighth technical triggers an automatic one-game suspension. The Fever are currently asking the league to wipe away her fifth technical, Associated Press reported. Head coach Stephanie White has said the team is "managing" Clark's situation to keep her ready for the long haul.
What Comes Next: Sparks Game and Uncertain Status
Clark's status for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Sparks is currently "Uncertain" while she undergoes medical evaluation, according to Athlon Sports. Any extended absence would hurt Indiana's playoff push and likely dent regional TV ratings, which lead the entire WNBA, The Big Lead noted.
Aliyah Boston picked up the slack Tuesday, finishing with 23 points and 9 rebounds. But Clark's absence looms large. She averaged over 21 points in her six games before the injury, and Indiana cannot afford to lose ground in a tight Eastern Conference race with the playoffs approaching.
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