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Caitlin Clark ruled out vs. Fire due to a back injury

The Indiana Fever announced that star guard Caitlin Clark would not play in Wednesday’s game against the Fire.

Status Update: Caitlin Clark (back) is out today. https://t.co/f8tR4ld5D7

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 20, 2026

While on the injury report Clark is listed as dealing with a back injury, beat reporter Scott Agness reported that this was a planned absence that is part of “a strategic management plan for the season.”

Wednesday’s game against Portland is Indiana’s fourth game in the last eight days.

Clark’s WNBA career has been overshadowed by injuries, so any time that she is added to the injury report, Fever fans likely get worried. After playing 40 games her rookie season, the star guard could only suit up for 13 games last year, dealing with a groin injury.

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With the fact that she was a late scratch for the game, and that Agness reported it was a planned absence for Clark, she should be able to suit up for the team’s next game on Friday against the Golden State Valkyries.

Through the first four games of the season, Clark is averaging 24.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 30.8 minutes per game.

Indiana was expected to get a reinforcement for Wednesday’s game off the injury report. Center Aliyah Boston missed her first career game on Sunday due to a lower leg injury, but was off the injury report for the game against Portland.

Now, the Fever will be down Clark as they take on the 2-2 Fire on Wednesday night. Head coach Stephanie White will have her pre-game press conference shortly after 6 p.m. ET, and she may shed more light on Clark’s absence then.

This story will be updated.

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