Caitlin Clark Ruled Out, Indiana Fever Fall to Los Angeles Sparks
The Indiana Fever played without their superstar rookie, Caitlin Clark, on Thursday night, ultimately falling to the Los Angeles Sparks with a final score of 85-75. Clark was officially ruled out just hours before the game began due to a groin injury, a significant absence for the Fever lineup. The team confirmed the former No. 1 overall draft pick would miss at least this single contest.
This marks the sixth game Clark has missed during the current WNBA season. Notably, it’s the first time in her collegiate or WNBA regular-season or postseason career (excluding this year’s previous absences) that she has been sidelined. The injury is specifically a left groin issue.
Injury Details and Day-to-Day Status
According to Fever coach Stephanie White, the groin injury is considered “very much a day-to-day thing.” Her availability moving forward will depend entirely on how she responds to treatment. White confirmed that Clark underwent an MRI, though she deferred specific questions about the injury’s severity to the team’s training staff.
This groin problem follows a recent three-week absence for Clark earlier this season due to a left quad strain, which caused her to miss five games before returning to the court on June 14th. The team has clarified that this new groin injury is not an aggravation of her prior quad issues, including one sustained in the preseason.
Return from Quad Injury and Recent Performance
Clark’s return from the quad injury on June 14th saw her deliver an explosive performance, scoring 32 points alongside nine assists and eight rebounds in the Fever’s 102-88 victory over the New York Liberty. However, in the games leading up to Thursday’s matchup, her performance had shown signs of struggle. Her shooting splits had declined, particularly from three-point range, where she made just one of her last 23 attempts over the three games preceding the Sparks contest. She also recorded 22 turnovers during the team’s recent West Coast road trip, and her six-point game against the Seattle Storm was a season low. Before her return from the quad issue, Clark had emphasized her desire to be 100% healthy before playing and not be under minutes restrictions.
Impact on the Sparks Game
Playing without their leading scorer proved difficult for the Fever against the Sparks, a team looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Los Angeles secured the 85-75 win by dominating the fourth quarter, outscoring Indiana 35-17. While the Fever forced 15 turnovers in the first half and held a halftime lead, they struggled significantly on offense throughout the game, shooting just 36.5% from the field and a low 7-for-28 (25%) from beyond the arc. The Sparks also held a major advantage in scoring in the paint, 42-28.
The Sparks were led by Azura Stevens with 23 points, supported significantly by Kelsey Plum’s 21 points off the bench, 12 of which came in the final five minutes to help seal the victory. For the Fever, Kelsey Mitchell led the team with 20 points, while Aliyah Boston posted a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals.
Season Context and Team Depth
The loss drops the Indiana Fever’s season record to 7-8. Their record in games Clark has missed this season now stands at 2-4, underscoring her importance to the team’s success. Clark is currently averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game on the season.
Her absence comes during a particularly challenging stretch of the schedule, with the Fever facing a back-to-back on Friday night against the Dallas Wings in a sold-out game and the Commissioner’s Cup championship next Tuesday. The team is also dealing with limited roster depth, having recently signed Aari McDonald on an injury hardship contract and being down to just nine available players for Thursday’s game due to other player absences.
In their last meeting prior to Thursday, in September 2024, the Fever defeated the Sparks 93-86. In that contest, Clark showcased her impact by matching Aliyah Boston with a team-high 24 points and recording a triple-double with 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
With Clark’s status uncertain and being evaluated daily, the Fever face an uphill battle navigating their upcoming schedule without their cornerstone player. Updates on her condition will be crucial for the team’s outlook.
