How long is Caitlin Clark out? Updated back injury return timeline for Fever star

How long is Caitlin Clark out? Updated back injury return timeline for Fever star originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Caitlin Clark has faced some physical defense this year, and it caught up to her last game when she left the contest agains the Phoenix Mrrcury.

As the Indiana Fever lost their third game in four contests, Clark left the game after suffering a back injury and getting a fist to the throat during a drive. Clark did not finish the game, a sign that the injury wasn’t just a flare up but instead a more serious ailment.

The Fever return to action on Saturday night at home, but Clark’s injury will likely keep her out of the game. While she recovers, though, the Fever benefit from a light schedule to begin July which will help the team take Clark’s recovery in stride.

Here’s the latest on Clark’s injury status.

MORE: Stephanie White calls out officiating after Caitlin Clark injury

How long will Caitlin Clark be out?

Clark will miss the Fever’s game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks, the team’s first game since Clark suffered the back injury. Indiana will follow that game with seven days off next week, allowing Clark some time to heal without missing too many games.

Fever head coach Stephanie White told the media on Friday that she didn’t know when Clark would return, but the long stretch of days off will benefit her and the team.

“We’ll take this opportunity to give her treatment, get her healthy, get her back on the floor,” White said on Friday morning.

Caitlin Clark is going to be out on Saturday, Steph White says.

“No indication” on how long she’ll be out, but White says their week off next week is a good time to get her treatment. pic.twitter.com/THPUQfekdv

— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 26, 2026

Clark played in 17 of the Fever’s first 18 games of the season, so Saturday will mark just her second missed game of the year. After Saturday’s game vs. Los Angeles, Indiana does not play again until Sunday, July 5 on the road against the Las Vegas Aces.

MORE: Caitlin Clark’s complete injury timeline from NCAA to WNBA

Caitlin Clark stats 2026

• Games: 17
• MPG: 30.8
• PPG: 21.2
• RPG: 4.0
• APG: 8.2
• FG%: 43.0 percent
• 3P%: 34.4 percent
• FT%: 85.4 percent

While Clark has dealt with adversity this year, she is averaging over 20 point per game for the first time in her career. Additionally, her three-point percentage is above her career number, and her field goal percentage is also a career high so far.

Fever schedule 2026

DateOpponentTime (ET)TV ChannelJune 27vs. Sparks8:00 p.m.CBSJuly 5@ Aces7:00 p.m.ESPNJuly 8@ Sparks10:00 p.m.USAJuly 9@ Mercury10:00 p.m.Prime VideoJuly 12@ Aces9:00 p.m.NBCJuly 15vs. Valkyries8:00 p.m.USAJuly 17vs. Storm7:30 p.m.ion