Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is back in the lineup after missing a game with back soreness — an injury designation that led the team to get an official warning from the league.
Clark was listed as “probable” ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. The team announced on Friday that she would be active.
Status Update: Caitlin Clark (back) is available for tonight’s game. https://t.co/1lFgLoAZqy
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 22, 2026
On Wednesday, Clark was ruled out of the Fever’s game against the Portland Fire with a back injury just two hours before tipoff.
Clark’s injury was initially called a “a strategic management plan,” pointing to a potential load management strategy — something that the league frowns upon. Additionally, Clark had not been listed on the Fever’s injury report on Tuesday.
In the pre-game press conference, Indiana head coach Stephanie White seemingly pivoted, saying that Clark missed practice on Tuesday to get treatment and woke up feeling stiff on Wednesday. She also made a point of saying that it wasn’t load management: “She’s healthy. We’re not managing anything,” White said.
Even with White changing the narrative, the handling of Clark’s injury opened the team up to punishment from the league. However, the WNBA decided not to fine the Fever, giving the team an official warning instead.
WNBA injury rules dictate that teams have to report injuries, illnesses or other medical conditions by 5 p.m. (local time) on the day before a game. “Rest” is considered an acceptable reason for sitting a player, but it has to be reported; the league’s warning to Indiana was more about Clark’s injury not being listed than about the reason.
In a postgame press conference, White said that players who don’t practice aren’t always added to the injury report. She also reiterated that Clark’s back was “sore” and that she didn’t expect the injury to be long-term.