Caitlin Clark exits early with back issue as Fever fall to Mercury

Caitlin Clark's nighttime ended early Wednesday arsenic nan Fever defender exited earlier nan 4th fourth of Indiana's crippled against nan Phoenix Mercury.

The Fever announced Clark was ruled retired for nan remainder of nan crippled pinch a back issue.

It is unclear erstwhile Clark first began experiencing backmost discomfort, but she appeared to tweak it aft a second-quarter foul. She near nan tribunal pinch conscionable complete 5 minutes remaining successful nan 3rd 4th and did not return, nan Indianapolis Star reported.

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Caitlin Clark of nan Indiana Fever dribbles nan shot while defended by Lexi Held of nan Phoenix Mercury astatine Gainbridge Fieldhouse successful Indianapolis, Indiana, connected June 24, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Clark yet made her measurement to nan locker room. With nan Fever prima sidelined, nan Mercury managed to rally and narrowly sewage past Indiana 111-109. The triumph was conscionable Phoenix's sixth of nan season.

Kelsey Mitchell vanished pinch 30 points to lead nan Fever, but Kahleah Copper's 28-point capacity helped assistance nan Mercury to nan win.

CAITLIN CLARK UNVEILS NIKE CAITLIN 1 AS HER FIRST SIGNATURE SHOE WITH AN OCTOBER RELEASE DATE

The beingness style of play Clark has faced has been a talking constituent since her WNBA debut successful 2024. That speech resurfaced successful nan 2nd 4th erstwhile she was fouled connected a thrust to nan handbasket and mislaid power of nan ball.

Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark shoots nan shot against nan Phoenix Mercury astatine Gainbridge Fieldhouse successful Indianapolis, Indiana, connected June 24, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Replay videos appeared to show Thomas' knee making interaction adjacent Clark's groin arsenic nan Fever defender fell to nan floor, followed by what looked for illustration interaction betwixt Thomas' fist and Clark's throat. No foul was called connected nan play.

Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark shown aft falling successful nan lane while Phoenix Mercury guardant Alyssa Thomas watches nan shot astatine Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, Indiana connected June 24, 2026. (Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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The backmost rumor is not new. Clark has landed connected Indiana's wounded report aggregate times this play because of it. The Fever proceed their homestand Saturday against nan Los Angeles Sparks.

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