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WNBA Warns Indiana Fever After Last‑Minute Caitlin Clark Scratch, She Returns Two Days Later

The league’s warning over late reporting highlights questions about transparency in injury designations and how teams protect high‑profile players.

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May 17, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the first half against the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The Fever ruled Caitlin Clark out with back soreness roughly 100 minutes before tipoff on Wednesday after she missed practice, and she was not on the team’s day‑before injury report.
  • The WNBA issued the Indiana Fever a formal warning for how the team reported Clark’s status but did not impose a fine.
  • Coach Stephanie White and Clark said the absence was precautionary soreness rather than season‑long load management, and Clark was upgraded to probable and returned to start on Friday, scoring 22 points.
  • Indiana beat Portland 90‑73 without Clark on Wednesday, showing the team’s depth while fueling debate over when to rest a franchise player.
  • The episode underscores that WNBA rules require teams to file injury designations by 5 p.m. local time the day before games, and the league’s warning could prompt closer enforcement and tougher scrutiny of how teams balance short‑term availability with long‑term player health.