Caitlin Clark to miss Indiana Fever’s next game after aggravating back injury in brutal loss to Phoenix Mercury
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has suffered another back injury and will miss Saturday’s game against the visiting Los Angeles Sparks, coach Stephanie White announced at Friday’s practice.
The Fever have a seven-game break after Saturday, but White wouldn’t put any timetable on Clark’s return.
Clark left Wednesday’s loss to the Phoenix Mercury after aggravating her back in the third quarter. She has been managing the issue throughout the season.
The former Iowa star was also on the receiving end of a perceived cheap shot to the throat during the defeat. Clark was scrambling on the court for a loose ball when the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas lunged for possession. As caught on replay, Thomas ended up closing her fist and hitting Clark directly in the throat.
At the time, officials missed the call in the chaotic scramble for the ball.
However, since then, the WNBA announced that Thomas was retroactively assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and would be suspended for her next game.
Thomas dove to the ground for a loose ball and hit Clark in the neck with a closed fist
Clark’s coach, Stephanie White said it was ‘egregious’ and ‘disrespectful’ a foul wasn’t called
‘Per WNBA rule, the League Office has the option, following its review of any game, to reclassify a Flagrant foul or to classify as Flagrant any foul not called as such during a game and may impose a fine and/or suspension,’ read the league’s statement.
Social media was in uproar over the incident, particularly among conservatives.
‘This is our George Floyd,’ podcaster and fired Buzz Feed reporter Benny Johnson wrote on X.
One of Johnson’s followers responded: ‘Charge that girl with assault, attempted murder and hate crime.’
Another person tweeted a screen shot of the moment where Thomas hit Clark and captioned it, ‘This is not a good image for the WNBA or any sports event.’
‘Wow ! Thats it for an assult? [sic] These are grown ass women that know better. If I throat punch someone at work I would be FIRED immediately !’ read another post.
Now in her third season, Clark is averaging 21.2 points, 8.2 assists and four rebounds per game in 2026. She has reduced her turnovers to 4.6 a game, one full turnover less than her rookie campaign in 2024.
