The WNBA issued a warning to the Indiana Fever after the team failed to properly disclose Caitlin Clark’s injury before Wednesday night’s game against the Portland Fire.
Clark was unexpectedly ruled out less than two hours before tipoff despite not appearing on the Fever’s official injury report the previous day.
The absence was part of a “strategic management plan for this season,” Fever beat reporter Scott Agness reported.
WNBA rules require teams to submit injury designations by 5 p.m the day before games.
On Thursday, the WNBA confirmed the Fever received an official warning but avoided a financial penalty.
Clark missed Indiana’s 90-73 victory over Portland because of what was described as a back injury.
“She’s healthy,” Fever head coach Stephanie White told reporters. “We’re not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give the time to be ready.”
The handling of Clark’s absence quickly became a league-wide story because of her ongoing seismic impact on attendance, ratings and ticket sales.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year was back in the lineup on Friday against the Valkyries, and addressed the injury report blunder ahead of the game.
“I had every intention of playing, didn’t indicate I wasn’t gonna play. Approached Wednesday, that was the day of our game, as I was 100% playing,” Clark said, via The IX Sports.
Clark’s injury status drew additional attention because of her recent health history.
She played just 13 games during the 2025 season as she battled a groin injury for most of the year.
Indiana managed to come within a game of a WNBA Finals appearance in spite of that last season, pushing the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces to five games before being eliminated.
Although fans inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse were undoubtedly disappointed, they did get to enjoy a one-sided victory in Indiana with a 90-73 victory over Portland.
Clark ultimately returned to the lineup Friday night to start against the Golden State Valkyries.
The Fever entered Friday with a 3-2 record.
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