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

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

The Fever announced Clark was ruled retired for the remainder of the crippled with a backmost issue.

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

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

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

Kelsey Mitchell finished with 30 points to pb the Fever, but Kahleah Copper's 28-point show helped assistance the Mercury to the win.

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

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

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

Replay videos appeared to amusement Thomas' genu making interaction adjacent Clark's groin arsenic the Fever defender fell to the floor, followed by what looked similar interaction betwixt Thomas' fist and Clark's throat. No foul was called connected the play.

Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark shown aft falling successful the lane portion Phoenix Mercury guardant Alyssa Thomas watches the 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 contented is not new. Clark has landed connected Indiana's wounded study aggregate times this play due to the fact that of it. The Fever proceed their homestand Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

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