Clark cleared to play against Valkyries despite persistent back complaint
Caitlin Clark has been listed as probable for Indiana Fever's Thursday road matchup against the Golden State Valkyries, indicating the guard is expected to play through an early-season back issue that had created uncertainty around her availability. Teammate Bree Hall is also projected to suit up for the contest.
Clark's back complaint had already factored into her season. She was a late scratch for Indiana's May 20 game against the Portland Fire - her first missed appearance of the 2026 campaign - though the Fever won that contest 90-73 without her. She returned for the first Fever-Valkyries meeting on May 22 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, posting a game-high 22 points in Indiana's second consecutive win over Golden State. The two clubs meet again Thursday in the rematch, with Indiana having scored 90 or more points in both recent victories.
Clark enters this stage of the season managing health carefully after an injury-disrupted 2025. She won WNBA Rookie of the Year following 40 appearances in 2024 but was restricted to 13 games last season due to a groin strain and an ankle-bone bruise. The 2026 campaign marked her return to a full schedule before the back concern emerged. She is a two-time WNBA All-Star.
On Wednesday, Indiana's off day before the rematch, Clark was spotted at Oracle Park in San Francisco attending a San Francisco Giants game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, accompanied by her boyfriend, former Iowa basketball player Connor McCaffery. The appearance carried no injury significance and came roughly a mile from the Valkyries' home arena, one day before tip-off.
