Caitlin Clark returns from back injury to lead Fever past Valkyries 90-82
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The Indiana Fever ruled Caitlin Clark out of Wednesday’s game against the Portland Fire with a back injury less than two hours before kickoff, marking her first missed game of the season.
Indiana managed to beat the Fire 90-73, but Clark’s late win raised concerns about whether he would be available for Friday’s game against the Golden State Valkyries.
These concerns were short-lived, as Clark was back in the lineup just two days later.
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Indiana Fever players Sophie Cunningham, Monique Billings, Raven Johnson and Kelsey Mitchell high-five during the first half of the game against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on May 22, 2026. (Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Clark was not listed on the Fever’s injury report Thursday, and despite missing practice the day before, he returned to score 22 points in Indiana’s 90-82 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year also recorded nine assists and came just short of a double-double.
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In the third quarter, Clark hit another three-pointer from well beyond the arc.
Fire center Aliyah Boston finished Friday night in second place with a double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds.
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark reacts after a call in the second half against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on May 22, 2026. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Fever and Valkyries will switch venues when they meet again in San Francisco on Thursday.
A series of injuries sidelined Clark in 2025, limiting the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader to 13 games in her second WNBA season. Injury problems last year included a groin strain followed by a bruised ankle bone.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark runs on the court during the first half of a WNBA game against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 13, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Jae C. Hong/AP)
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Also Thursday, Clark unveiled the cover art for her upcoming children’s picture book, “EXTRAORDINARY! A LITTLE EXTRA TO Achieve BIG Dreams.”
The book, scheduled to be released in November, is inspired by Clark’s life; “Like a few others,” Clark said.
