Caitlin Clark's return falls flat after Fever coach limits her in loss to shorthanded Sparks

All eyes were connected Caitlin Clark connected Wednesday nighttime arsenic she made her anticipated return from wounded successful a roadworthy matchup successful Los Angeles.

But alternatively of a triumphant comeback, the Fever spent nan full nighttime chasing nan Sparks arsenic Clark's unsmooth return fueled a 106-92 rout.

The superstar ne'er recovered a groove, looking wholly retired of sync successful her return from a backmost injury.

STEPHANIE WHITE GIVES CAITLIN CLARK STATUS UPDATE AHEAD OF FEVER-SPARKS, BUT HER NEXT MOVE RAISES QUESTIONS

Caitlin Clark huddles pinch teammates arsenic nan Indiana Fever conflict nan Sparks. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) ((Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images))

Much of that disjointed capacity falls squarely connected caput coach Stephanie White, who kept Clark connected a ridiculously tight leash by limiting her to conscionable 16 minutes. The stop-and-go attack could person sabotaged immoderate chance for nan phenom to found a rhythm.

Clark vanished pinch conscionable 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Her minus-16 plus-minus told nan story.

The Los Angeles Sparks were severely shorthanded, taking nan level without stars Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink.

MERCURY'S NOW-DELETED SOCIAL MEDIA POST MOCKING CAITLIN CLARK DRAWS SCRUTINY AFTER STAR'S INJURY

Yet while a depleted Sparks roster played to win, Indiana spent nan nighttime over-managing its biggest asset.

With Clark connected a minutes regularisation and Aliyah Boston retired of nan lineup, Kelsey Mitchell was forced to enarthrosis nan full violative burden.

Mitchell did her part, pouring successful 29 points while shooting 5-of-9 from beyond nan arc.

Caitlin Clark orchestrates nan Fever discourtesy arsenic Indiana battles nan Los Angeles Sparks successful primetime action. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) ((Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images))

But 1 basking manus couldn't extremity an businesslike LA squad.

The Sparks changeable 45% from three-point range, going 9-of-20 from heavy to cruise to nan 106-92 victory.

White's adjacent move is to beryllium Clark against nan Mercury connected Thursday while Boston returns.

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After Wednesday's nonaccomplishment to a shorthanded Sparks team, it's adjacent to mobility whether Indiana's cautious attack is working. The Fever dropped to 12-9.

Caitlin Clark and Dearica Hamby look disconnected arsenic Fever and Sparks conflict astatine Crypto.com Arena successful Los Angeles. (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images))

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