Caitlin Clark’s night concluded early on Wednesday as the guard for the Indiana Fever left before the fourth quarter in the game against the Phoenix Mercury. The Fever announced that Clark was ruled out for the rest of the game because of back discomfort.
Details on when Clark began experiencing this discomfort remain unclear. However, the issue seemed to arise following a foul in the second quarter. She departed the court with just over five minutes left in the third quarter and did not return, according to reports from the Indianapolis Star.
With Clark absent, the Mercury managed a narrow victory against Indiana, with a final score of 111-109. This win marked only Phoenix’s sixth triumph of the season.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 30 points, while Kahleah Copper’s 28-point effort contributed to the Mercury’s success.
The physical gameplay Clark has encountered has been a frequent discussion point since her inaugural WNBA season in 2024. This conversation resurfaced during the second quarter after she was fouled on a drive to the basket and lost control of the ball.
Video replays appeared to show Thomas’s knee making contact near Clark’s groin as Clark fell, followed by apparent contact between Thomas’s fist and Clark’s throat. No foul was called for the incident.
Clark’s back problem is not a new concern, as she has appeared on Indiana’s injury report multiple times this season due to it. The Fever are set to continue their home games on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.