Full Breakdown
Caitlin Clark to Miss Fever vs. Sparks Amid Back Injury Concerns
6/28/2026, 12:50:18 PM
Clark Out for Saturday's Game
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark will sit out the June 27 contest against the Los Angeles Sparks. Coach Stephanie White confirmed the decision on Friday, noting Clark left the June 24 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in the third quarter with a back complaint. The Fever will not play again until July 5 at Las Vegas.
Injury History & Recent Incident
Clark’s back problem has persisted since a May 20 injury against Portland and contributed to her 13-game absence in 2025. She described the condition as “getting out of line pretty quickly” after the season opener. In the Mercury game, Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas was seen pushing down on Clark’s neck, and Clark later exited with a back issue.
Performance Metrics
Through 17 games, Clark averages a career-high 21.2 points, 8.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds, tying for fourth in league scoring and ranking second in All-Star fan voting behind Aliyah Boston. The Fever sit at 10-8, while the Sparks are 8-9 after a 125-97 loss to the Toronto Tempo, where Marina Mabrey scored 53 points.
Official Statements
White said Clark’s “long-term health and wellness is the most important” and that the week before the Aces game offers treatment time. She added that there is “no indication on how long she will be out” and emphasized the need for Clark to be “100 % ready to go.” The league issued a one-game suspension to Alyssa Thomas for the altercation.
Criticism of League Safety
Fox News commentary has questioned the WNBA’s ability to protect its marquee player, noting repeated hard fouls and the delayed disciplinary response to Thomas’s conduct. Critics argue that insufficient safeguards risk Clark’s health and undermine the league’s credibility.
Conflicting Accounts of Injury Cause
Reports vary on whether Clark’s back issue stemmed from a foul by Valeriane Ayayi or from the earlier neck-push by Thomas. Additionally, sources differ on whether this is Clark’s first or second missed game of the season.
Impact on Fever and League
Clark’s absence deprives Indiana of its leading scorer for the Sparks game, potentially affecting its playoff positioning. The episode also spotlights ongoing debates about player safety and disciplinary consistency in the WNBA.
Upcoming Schedule
The Fever’s next contest is the July 5 road game against the Las Vegas Aces. The WNBA All-Star Game is set for July 25 in Chicago. The league’s handling of Thomas’s suspension will be observed in the coming weeks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She’s OK. She’s going to be out on Saturday. She’s doing all right,” — Stephanie White, Indiana Fever head coach
- “Long-term health and wellness is the most important thing,” — Stephanie White, Indiana Fever head coach
- “I think we want her to be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally.” — Stephanie White, Indiana Fever head coach
- “FEVER COACH ADDRESSES PHYSICALITY DIRECTED AT CAITLIN CLARK AFTER LATEST INJURY: 'IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS' Clark has been on the receiving end of many hard fouls during her short tenure in the league, many of which have seemed intentional.” — Stephanie White, Indiana Fever head coach
