Caitlin Clark's limited return as Fever face LA Sparks

Caitlin Clark returned to the court on July 8 for the Indiana Fever’s road game against the Los Angeles Sparks after missing two contests with a lingering back injury. Coach Stephanie White kept her on a tight minutes restriction, allowing her 16 minutes in which Clark scored nine points on 33.3 % shooting, added four rebounds and three assists. The Fever were unable to overcome the Sparks, falling 106‑92.

White explained the workload plan for the back‑to‑back schedule, saying, “yeah, [Boston] will be out tonight, Caitlin will play, but will be inactive tomorrow.” The strategy flips the two star players—Clark will sit Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury while forward Aliyah Boston, who missed Wednesday, will return.

Clark later told reporters she felt “pretty good” about her back and described the rehab routine, including hyper‑baric oxygen and massage therapy, but reiterated she would not be available for the next night’s game. The Fever have recently won three straight without Clark, highlighting the team’s depth, yet her presence remains central to the franchise’s success and the WNBA’s viewership.