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The Indiana Fever ruled Caitlin Clark out of Wednesday’s game against the Portland Fire with a back injury less than two hours before kickoff, marking her first missed game of the season.
Indiana went on to beat the Fire 90-73, but Clark’s late withdrawal raised concerns about his availability for Friday’s game against the Golden State Valkyries.
Those concerns proved short-lived, as Clark was back in the lineup two days later.
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Indiana Fever players Sophie Cunningham, Monique Billings, Raven Johnson and Kelsey Mitchell high-five during the first half of a game against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on May 22, 2026. (Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Clark was not listed on the Fever’s injury report Thursday, and despite missing the previous day’s practice, she returned to score 22 points in Indiana’s 90-82 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year also recorded nine assists, finishing just short of a double-double.
FEVER GET LEAGUE WARNING ON CAITLIN CLARK INJURY REPORT
In the third quarter, Clark knocked down another 3-pointer from well beyond the arc.
Fever center Aliyah Boston finished second Friday night with 20 points and 16 rebounds, recording a double-double.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever reacts after a call in the second half against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on May 22, 2026. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Fever and Valkyries will change locations when they meet again Thursday in San Francisco.
A series of injuries sidelined Clark in 2025, limiting the NCAA’s all-time leader to 13 games in her second WNBA season. Last year’s injuries included a strained groin followed by a bruised ankle.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark jogs on the court during the first half of a WNBA game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles on May 13, 2026. (Jae C. Hong/AP)
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Also Thursday, Clark revealed the cover of his upcoming children’s picture book, “EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA for Achieving BIG Dreams.”
The book, scheduled for release in November, is inspired by Clark’s life – a life, she says, “like few others.”
