Caitlin Clark Plays Through Contusion as Fever Fall to Valkyries

On a Wednesday night in Indianapolis, the Indiana Fever hosted the Golden State Valkyries. The Fever entered the game 14-9 and tied for the second-best home record (8-4). Despite being listed as probable with a lingering back injury, guard Caitlin Clark started and logged 26 minutes, recording 13 points, six assists and three rebounds. The Valkyries won 88-75, dropping Indiana to 14-10.

Final Injury Report for Valkyries-Fever: Will Caitlin Clark, Gabby Williams Play?

Clark has been managing a back issue since the season opener and has been tagged probable 15 times this year. Earlier in the season she missed three of five games after aggravating the injury on June 24 against the Phoenix Mercury. The Fever have also dealt with injuries to Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston during a recent road trip.

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• Caitlin Clark – All-Star guard, league leader in assists per game (7.8) and second in points per game (20.1).

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• Stephanie White – Fever head coach, overseeing Clark’s minutes-restriction plan.

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• Gabby Williams – Valkyries guard listed as questionable with a back contusion; could miss a second consecutive contest.

Final Injury Report for Valkyries-Fever: Will Caitlin Clark, Gabby Williams Play?

• Iliana Rupert – Valkyries forward ruled out for the season due to pregnancy.

Final Injury Report for Valkyries-Fever: Will Caitlin Clark, Gabby Williams Play?

• May 20 – Clark first missed a game with the back injury.

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• June 24 – Back injury re-aggravated vs. Phoenix.

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• July 8 – Clark returned on a “three-minute bursts” plan.

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• Wednesday (date unspecified) – No-call on a knee to Clark’s leg; post-game contusion complaint.

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• Clark averages 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists on 42.7 % shooting (33.1 % from three).

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• Fever’s record: 14-9 overall, 8-4 at home, fifth in the WNBA.

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• Valkyries: 17-7 overall, on a seven-game winning streak.

The Sporting News

• Game line: Clark 13-26, 1-8 from three; Fever 75 points (season low).

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Clark’s availability is pivotal for Indiana’s playoff positioning. Playing through a quadriceps contusion while still on a back-restriction plan raises concerns about long-term health and the Fever’s ability to sustain their recent surge.

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Coach White emphasized the league’s responsibility to protect players, describing the missed contact as “absolutely unacceptable.” The Fever’s injury report listed Clark as probable (back) and Williams as questionable (back contusion).

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College-basketball legend Dick Vitale remarked that Clark’s situation is “really sad,” urging the league to treat her “like royalty.”

Final Injury Report for Valkyries-Fever: Will Caitlin Clark, Gabby Williams Play?

Game footage shows Clark confronting a referee after the uncalled foul, using profanity before exiting the floor for the remainder of the first half. No technical foul was assessed.

Caitlin Clark yells at official after no-call in Fever loss to Valkyries

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver were cited in separate reports regarding the disciplinary response to a prior incident involving Alyssa Thomas; the league later called Engelbert’s alleged initial opposition to the suspension “absolutely false.” The impact of that dispute on Clark’s current grievance remains unclear.

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• “That hurts. The ref can’t miss that,” — Caitlin Clark

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• “And then I have to play with a contusion in my leg the rest of the game. It’s ridiculous.” — Caitlin Clark

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• “absolutely unacceptable” — Stephanie White

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• “There’s gonna be people that love you, there’s gonna be people that hate you. It probably means you’re doing something right.” — Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark yells at official after no-call in Fever loss to Valkyries

The Fever will host the Seattle Storm, New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun before the All-Star break, hoping Clark remains healthy enough to lead the team into the postseason race.

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