Caitlin Clark Exits Game Early Due to Back Issue, Phoenix Mercury Edges Out Indiana Fever

Caitlin Clark’s game was cut short on Wednesday as she left the court before the fourth quarter due to a back problem during Indiana’s match against the Phoenix Mercury. Clark was officially sidelined for the rest of the game because of this issue.

It’s uncertain exactly when Clark started experiencing back pain. Observations suggest it may have worsened after a foul in the second quarter. According to the Indianapolis Star, Clark exited the game with a bit more than five minutes left in the third quarter and did not return.

Competitive Matchup

In Clark’s absence, the Phoenix Mercury managed to secure a narrow victory over Indiana with a score of 111-109. This marked Phoenix’s sixth win of the current season. Despite the setback, Kelsey Mitchell stood out for Indiana, scoring 30 points. Meanwhile, Kahleah Copper contributed significantly to Phoenix’s win with 28 points.

Physical Play Under Scrutiny

Since her WNBA debut in 2024, the physical nature of Clark’s gameplay has been a point of discussion. This issue returned in the second quarter when Clark was fouled during a drive to the basket and lost control of the ball. Replay videos indicated that Thomas’ knee might have made contact near Clark’s groin, followed by contact involving Thomas’ fist and Clark’s throat. No foul was called.

Clark has been reported on Indiana’s injury list several times this season due to recurring back issues. The Fever’s next game will be against the Los Angeles Sparks this Saturday.

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Chantz Martin contributes sports articles for Fox News Digital.