The Indiana Fever suffered a blow as superstar guard Caitlin Clark was ruled out of Wednesday night’s game against the Portland Fire because of a back injury.
The 24-year-old All-Star was not listed on the team’s official injury report the day before.
Following the Fever’s pregame walkthrough on Wednesday afternoon, team officials made the last-minute decision to scratch her from the lineup. Initial reports indicated the move was mostly precautionary to protect her health, but the sudden benching sparked concern across the league.
This is Clark’s first missed game of the current season.
Recurring Injuries Have Derailed Clark’s Momentum
Health hurdles are nothing new for Clark.
During her 2025 season, recurring soft-tissue injuries and physical wear and tear completely derailed her momentum.
Clark only appeared in 13 games during that 2025 campaign, missing 27 regular-season games due to her extended time on the injury report.
Fever Prioritising Clark’s Long-Term Health
Fever head coach Stephanie White and the front office have consistently made it clear that protecting Clark’s long-term wellness is the franchise’s top priority.
The team will likely take things very slowly as they evaluate her back over the coming days before letting her return to the court.
Indiana’s next game is Friday against Golden State.