Fever’s Caitlin Clark (back) likely to face Valkyries

The Indiana Fever listed star Caitlin Clark as likely forward of their sport Friday evening towards the visiting Golden State Valkyries.

Clark missed Wednesday’s house win over the Portland Fire with again soreness. She was scratched about 100 minutes earlier than typoff after not initially showing on the harm report.

Fever coach Stephanie White mentioned earlier than that sport that Clark awoke with stiffness and soreness in his again.

When requested whether or not the problem will be characterised as an harm, White added: “Her back is sore. If there’s anything more detailed than that, that’s [for] the training staff [to address]”

White indicated she does not count on it to be an ongoing concern for Clark, although she acknowledged, “I’m not a physician, so I do not know.

“It’s not the time to take an opportunity. We simply really need to be cautious.”

Clark did not participate in practice Tuesday, instead getting treatment and going through workouts after practice. The Fever did not hold a formal practice Thursday.

Clark, the No. 1 draft pick in 2024 who was named WNBA Rookie of the Year, appeared in only 13 games last season and missed the entire second half due to injury.

White said Wednesday that Clark was “completely not” sitting out because of load management.

“She’s wholesome,” White said. “We’re not managing something. This is only a again concern that we would like to be certain we give the time to be prepared.”

During Indiana’s season-opening loss to the Dallas WingsClark went into the tunnel twice to get her again labored on and “adjusted” before reentering the game. She said afterward that her back “will get out of line fairly shortly” and that her trips off the floor were to “get my again put again in place somewhat bit.”

“That second the place my again tightened up, I feel I virtually bought confidence from that as a result of I got here again in and I performed eight extra minutes, so I felt nice,” Clark said last week. “It’s one thing I can take confidence from. But it is going to take me somewhat bit to actually recover from the psychological hurdle of trusting my physique.”

Asked Wednesday whether the Fever needs to do anything additional moving forward to manage Clark’s back, White said, “Not that I’m conscious of. I imply, I feel the largest factor is simply how she feels.”

Clark, a two-time All-Star, is averaging 24.3 points, nine assists and five rebounds through the first four games of 2026. She has two straight 20-point, 10-assist performances, including 21 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in only 24 minutes of a win over the Seattle Storm on Sunday.