Before and after the Indiana Fever’s 90-73 win over the Portland Fire on Wednesday night, the team commented on Caitlin Clark’s unexpected injury absence.
Despite not being listed on Tuesday’s initial injury report, the Fever revealed Clark was sidelined with a back injury prior to tipoff.
When asked about the late scratch of Clark prior to the game, Fever head coach Stephanie White revealed that Clark didn’t practice on Tuesday and received treatments instead. Then, Clark woke up on Wednesday with some soreness.
“Just woke up with some stiffness and some soreness… for us, again, it’s not the time to take a chance. We just really want to be cautious,” White said.
There was an initial report from Fieldhouse Files’ Scott Agness that Clark’s absence is part of a strategic management plan, which coach White seemed to push back against.
“No, absolutely not. There’s no managing. She’s healthy. We’re not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give the time to be ready,” White said.
In White’s postgame media availability, White was asked why Clark was not initially listed on Tuesday’s injury report.
“Well, not everybody that doesn’t practice or gets a pro day is on the injury report, so that happens all the time. She wasn’t listed on the injury report earlier because we expected her to play,” White answered.
In a follow-up from The Athletic’s James Boyd, White was asked if Clark is indeed injured or if it’s something other than an injury.
“Her back is sore, so if there’s anything more detailed than that, that’s the training staff,” White said.
Asked if she thought the Fever could get fined by the WNBA for not listing Clark on its game status report sooner, White said no.
The Fever’s next game will be on Friday, May 22, when the Golden State Valkyries (2-1) visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff on ION.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ‘She’s healthy’: Indiana Fever comment on Caitlin Clark injury absence
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
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