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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 tipoff, marking her first missed game of the season.
Indiana went on to beat the Fire 90-73, but Clark’s late scratch raised concerns about her availability for Friday’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries.
Those concerns proved short-lived, as Clark was back in the lineup just 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 practice the previous day, she returned to score 22 points in Indiana’s 90-82 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year also recorded nine assists, finishing just shy of a double-double.
FEVER GET WARNING FROM LEAGUE OVER CAITLIN CLARK INJURY REPORTING
In the third quarter, Clark knocked down another 3-pointer from well beyond the arc.
Fever center Aliyah Boston finished second in scoring Friday night with 20 points and 16 rebounds, recording a double-double.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever reacts after a call during 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 switch venues when they meet again Thursday in San Francisco.
A string of injuries sidelined Clark in 2025, limiting the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader to 13 games in her second WNBA season. The injury woes last year included a groin strain followed by an ankle bone bruise.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark jogs up 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 on Thursday, Clark unveiled the cover art of her upcoming children’s picture book, “EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA to Reach BIG Dreams.”
The book, which is scheduled for release in November, draws from Clark’s life — one she said is “like few others.”