The Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces will meet tonight for what is one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. It features several league stars, including Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Mitchell, and more.
What’s interesting is that both teams will miss their superstars and primary scoring options due to injury.
What Injury Does Caitlin Clark Have?
Per Chloe Peterson’s report, Clark has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces at T-Mobile Arena, continuing her absence from a back injury that has now cost her two straight games.
Caitlin Clark (back) is out for Sunday’s game against Las Vegas, as expected.
A’ja Wilson is also out for Las Vegas with a right lower leg injury, along with Dana Evans and Janiah Barker.
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) July 5, 2026
A’ja Wilson is also sidelined for Las Vegas with a right lower leg injury, meaning both of the game’s marquee stars will be watching from the sidelines. Dana Evans and Janiah Barker are also out for the Aces.
Clark’s injury dates back to June 24, when Clark exited the Fever’s 111-109 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in the third quarter with a back issue. She appeared to tweak her back after falling when she landed on Valeriane Ayayi’s foot following a closeout. She stayed in the game initially but was eventually pulled and did not return.
When head coach Stephanie White was asked whether the injury is connected to the back problem that briefly sidelined Clark earlier this season, her answer was straightforward. “It’s not a new thing, I think it’s a re-aggravation,” White said.
Clark returned to practice on Friday and confirmed she would not play against the Aces, hinting instead at a possible return during the Fever’s upcoming back-to-back against the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday and Thursday.
This is Clark’s third missed game of the 2026 season, and it comes at a difficult time. The Fever are 11-8 and sitting third in the Eastern Conference, but only seventh overall.
Indiana won their last game without Clark, a 111-87 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. Beating the reigning WNBA champion Aces on the road without her is a considerably taller order. The Aces enter tonight at 15-5, the best record in the league.
Despite the missed time, Clark has been largely healthy compared to her injury-plagued 2025 campaign, when she appeared in just 13 of 44 regular-season games and missed the Fever’s entire playoff run.
This season, she is averaging 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 8.2 assists across 17 appearances, tied for third in the league in scoring and second in assists. When she is on the floor, the Fever is a different team. Tonight, they will have to prove they can compete against the best team in the WNBA without her.
