WNBA warns Fever for leaving Caitlin Clark off injury report

The WNBA issued a warning to the Indiana Fever after star Caitlin Clark was not initially listed on the staff’s injury report however was a late scratch due to again soreness shortly earlier than their recreation Wednesday in opposition to the Portland Firethe league advised ESPN on Thursday.

Fever coach Stephanie White mentioned earlier than the Fire recreation that Clark awakened Wednesday with stiffness and soreness in her again and that she did not observe Tuesday, as a substitute getting therapy and going via exercises after observe.

WNBA groups are required to report participant accidents, sicknesses and absences — in addition to their participation standing — by 5 pm native time the day earlier than all video games. The first public indication that Clark was coping with any again considerations got here 100 minutes earlier than the Fever’s 90-73 win over the Fire.

White mentioned Wednesday that she didn’t count on the Fever to get fined for not initially itemizing Clark on the injury report Tuesday night time or updating it earlier Wednesday.

“Not everybody that doesn’t practice or gets a pro day is on the injury report,” White mentioned. “That happens all the time. And she wasn’t listed on the injury report earlier because we expected her to play.”

Clark has since been listed as doubtless forward of Indiana’s recreation Friday night time in opposition to the visiting Golden State Valkyries. The Fever didn’t maintain a proper observe Thursday.