Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark will miss Saturday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Sparks after exiting Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix with a nagging back problem. Coach Stephanie White confirmed the decision Friday, noting Clark left the game in the third quarter and has been listed as probable in recent weeks. The team hopes the upcoming week‑long break will aid her recovery. Fans expressed disappointment on social media.

Clark’s absence comes amid a season‑long back issue that already forced her out on May 20 and has limited her availability. Despite the setback, she is averaging a career‑high 21.2 points, 8.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds over 17 games, a stark contrast to the injury‑marred 13‑game slate last year. She also leads the league in free‑throw accuracy. Her production remains a cornerstone of the Indiana Fever’s offense.

White emphasized that Clark’s long‑term health outweighs any short‑term gain, noting no certainty about further missed games. The Fever next face the Las Vegas Aces on July 5, giving Clark additional time for treatment before the season’s second half. The Sparks will look to exploit the void. Her status will shape Indiana’s playoff positioning as the team strives to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.