Star guard Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever said Tuesday she recognizes she has been dealing with back problems but isn’t worried about the situation.
“I don’t think (the back issues) necessarily started at a certain point. I think it’s just been over the course of the last year when I’ve kind of been understanding my body more,” Clark said. “But before that, I was always like, I’m fine, I’m fine, I can go play, go play, go play.
“And maybe sometimes I’m too hyperaware about certain things.
“… But I don’t think it’s anything of concern, no.”
However, fans were alarmed when Clark was pulled from Indiana’s matchup with the Portland Fire last Wednesday due to back stiffness she experienced upon waking. The decision to sideline her came less than two hours before the game began.
Indiana’s head coach Stephanie White explained to media that the move was made as a safety measure, saying “it’s not the time to take a chance.”
The 24-year-old player was back on the court Friday, scoring 22 points and dishing out nine assists as the Fever defeated the Golden State Valkyries 90-82.
Through five games this season, she is posting averages of 23.8 points and 9.0 assists per contest.
Clark, who was selected first overall in the 2024 draft and has earned two All-Star selections, appeared in only 13 games during the previous season after dealing with injuries to her quadriceps, groin and ankle.
