Caitlin Clark has dealt with adversity throughout the season, and that continued on Wednesday night. Clark appeared to suffer a back injury during the Indiana Fever's matchup against the Phoenix Mercury and went to the locker room for evaluation.
The star guard faced physical defense all night as the Mercury looked for ways to slow her down.
Losing Clark would, of course, be a huge blow to the Fever, though Indiana has found ways to win without her before. Still, Clark's presence on the court creates opportunities for her teammates, and a back injury is something to take seriously.
Here's the latest on Clark's injury.
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Caitlin Clark injury updates
In the third quarter of the Fever's game against the Mercury, Clark left the court and went back to the locker room with an apparent back injury. Clark was initially in a huddle during a timeout, but once the timeout ended, Clark left the bench area to get checked out.
Caitlin Clark exited Wednesday's game against Phoenix in the 3rd with an apparent back issue. pic.twitter.com/rRrRbsL6Mo
— espnW (@espnW) June 25, 2026Clark did not return to the game after playing 20 minutes to begin the contest. In those 20 minutes, Clark produced 19 points and eight assists.
Injury Update: Caitlin Clark (back) will not return to tonight's game.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 25, 2026What happened to Caitlin Clark?
It's unclear exactly when Clark suffered the injury, but she did hit the ground hard after getting fouled while shooting a three.
Caitlin Clark got up grabbing her back after this landing space foul which was not deemed a flagrant for reckless closeout pic.twitter.com/IXF3GWHoys https://t.co/xnUCTgKGl0
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) June 25, 2026Additionally, earlier in the game, Alyssa Thomas appeared to press her hand down on Clark's throat while Clark was on the ground, although there was no foul called.
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) June 25, 2026Caitlin Clark 2026 stats
- Games: 16
- MPG: 31.4
- PPG: 21.3
- RPG: 4.3
- APG: 8.2
- FG%: 42.6
- 3P%: 33.1
- FT%: 84.5
While there has been a perception that Clark has been down this year, she has still filled up the stat sheet. In the first 16 games of the year, Clark has averaged over 21 points per game, and her 33.1 three-point percentage is above her career high to this point.

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