Caitlin Clark continues to work herself back from a nagging back injury that forced her to sit out three of the Indiana Fever’s past four games. She played for 16 minutes on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Sparks before missing Thursday’s highly anticipated encounter against the Phoenix Mercury.
On Saturday, Fever coach Stephanie White gave the latest on Clark’s status for Sunday’s clash against the Las Vegas Aces.
Caitlin Clark To Play Against Aces but on Minutes Restriction
Clark, who has appeared on the Fever’s injury report for back discomfort this season, aggravated the issue during a June 24 game against the Mercury. The three-time All-Star stepped on the foot of Valériane Ayayi, forcing her to leave the testy showdown in the third quarter.
Sandwiched between three missed games was an appearance in Los Angeles against the Sparks, where she was under a minute restriction.
According to White, that trend will continue for Sunday in Las Vegas. WNBA insider Chloe Peterson wrote the coach’s update:
“Caitlin Clark will have a 20-25 minute restriction on Sunday, Steph White said, and they’re not going to do the 3-minute bursts.”
Caitlin Clark will have a 20-25 minute restriction on Sunday, Steph White said, and they’re not going to do the 3-minute bursts.
More on Clark’s continued return from her back injury:https://t.co/TRrB4et07n
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) July 11, 2026
Clark struggled against the Sparks due to her 2-3 minute stretches of action. She finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists but committed 4 turnovers.
Following the Fever’s 106-92 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, Clark said in the postgame interview that she has “responded well” to her workouts.
“Obviously, I’m such a competitor, I think I can play more, but that can sometimes get you in trouble. It’s a long season, it’s a long year, and a couple games like this isn’t gonna mess you up. Just get your feel back, and it’ll be OK overall,” she said.
One good thing going for the Fever, though, is Clark’s endurance despite the missed games. She said in the interview that she “didn’t feel very winded” and added that it was a “win” given how her body felt.
In the same presser, White acknowledged the difficulties with Clark’s restrictions, but the Fever is ensuring she will be healthy in the long run.
Last year, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year played just 13 games due to multiple injuries, which makes the Fever’s extra-cautious approach unsurprising.
Clark missed the Fever’s game against the defending champions about a week ago. Without her, Indiana whipped the A’ja Wilson-less team 84-68.
The rematch could be a different story as the four-time MVP, who returned from an ankle injury on Thursday, is expected to start. Wilson showed her readiness to play after dropping 32 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 30 minutes against the Portland Fire.
