WNBA phenom Caitlin Clarke returned for Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, but her return will come with a pretty big catch.
After a break due to a lingering back injury, the Indiana Fever star is ready to go.
On Wednesday, Fever head coach Stephanie White unveiled a surprising workload management plan for Indiana’s upcoming games.
WNBA STAR CAITLIN CLARKE REVEALS ‘MENTAL ISSUES’ CAUSED BY STREAK OF INJURIES
Indy Star Fever reporter Chloe Peterson asked for an update on Clark’s questionable status ahead of the Sparks game, as well as All-Star forward Aliyah Boston’s injury, and White dug deeper into the Fever’s plan.
“Yeah, (Boston) just shot a little bit,” White told Peterson. “She’ll be out again tonight, back to back. … Kaitlyn will be active tonight, AB will not, and they will flip tomorrow.”
So Clarke will play Wednesday against the Sparks, but has already been ruled out for Thursday night’s matchup with the Phoenix Mercury. Boston will do the exact opposite.
The move comes just days after the Fever beat the Las Vegas A’s 84-68 without Clark.
In 17 games this season, Clark is averaging 21.2 points, 8.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 30.8 minutes per game.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, 22, asks questions of an official Sunday, May 4, 2025, during a preseason game between the Indiana Fever and Brazil at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (IMAGN)
What is the idea behind this strategy?
Clarke built her reputation on her desire to act.
If she wakes up on Thursday feeling healthy and ready to play, that decision has already been made for her.
No one is against protecting the face of the franchise. White is right to prioritize Clarke’s long-term health after everything she’s been through this season.
WNBA WANTS A BIGGER STORY THAN CAITLIN CLARKE, BUT TV RATINGS KEEP POINTING UP TO HER
Caitlin Clark left the Indiana Fever’s game on Wednesday against the Phoenix Mercury with a back injury. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
But taking her out of the game more than 24 hours before kickoff seems too cautious, especially without knowing how she will react after Wednesday night’s game. It also wouldn’t be surprising if White kept a close eye on Clarke’s performance.
People buy tickets to see the league’s biggest stars, not to see them scrape by schedule.
Clarke is the WNBA’s biggest attraction, which means every game she misses raises the same question: Was it really necessary?
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White’s plan may ultimately prove correct, but preemptively excluding Clarke from Thursday’s game will only invite more criticism.
Head Coach Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark (Kevin K. Cox/Getty Images)
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Alejandro Avila is a longtime OutKick contributor based in Southern California.