Caitlin Clark’s Back Issue Lingers as Fever Prep for Red-Hot Valkyries

Caitlin Clark is probable again. For the 15th time this season, she’s got that tag next to her name because of her back. The Indiana Fever host the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, and Clark’s availability is the big question mark hanging over a pretty interesting matchup.

Golden State has won seven straight. They’re 17-7 and playing like a team that wants to make noise in the playoffs. The Fever are 14-9 after wins over Phoenix and Las Vegas, so they’re not exactly limping in. But Clark’s health is the kind of thing that can flip a game — or a season.

The Athletic’s James Boyd posted on X that Clark is listed as probable again. That’s the 15th time. It’s worth noting because she’s been on a minutes restriction, and she’s also sat out games entirely. She missed the Phoenix game but played 24 minutes against the Aces and put up 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Solid numbers, but not peak Clark.

Clark has said she feels great. She’s downplayed the injury publicly. Fever coach Stephanie White is the one pumping the brakes. White told reporters the issue is mostly about endurance after weeks of limited activity. She wants to build Clark back up gradually and avoid making things worse.

“I think the biggest thing is when you haven’t done anything really for a couple of weeks, it’s endurance. It’s building endurance, it’s efficiency, it’s getting back in rhythm, getting back with timing and flow, and all of those things. Trying to expand the longer periods of (playing) time for sure,” White said.

It’s a smart approach, but it leaves a lot up in the air. Will Clark’s minutes restriction finally get lifted against the Valkyries? Nobody has confirmed that. The Fever need her on the floor against a team that’s rolling. Golden State already split the season series with Indiana, and Clark averaged 19 points, 3 boards, 7.5 assists and 2 steals in those two games.

The Fever have a chance to make a statement here. But if Clark is limited, or if she has to sit out, that statement gets a lot harder to write. White is playing the long game with her star guard. That’s smart. But long games don’t win Wednesday nights.