June 26 (UPI) — Caitlin Clark will not play against the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday in Indianapolis due to a back injury, coach Stephanie White announced Friday.
Clark exited in the third quarter of a 111-109 loss Wednesday to the Phoenix Mercury due to the lingering issue. White said she had “no indication” for much time Clark would miss.
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She also declined to say if Clark’s planned absence was precautionary or if she could have played Saturday if she had to.
“She is OK,” White told reporters. “She is going to be out on Saturday, but she’s doing all right.”
Clark averaged 21.2 points per game, tied for fourth-most in the WNBA, through her first 17 games this season. She is the Fever’s second-leading scorer, behind fellow guard Kelsey Mitchell (21.4). who ranks third in the WNBA. Center Aliyah Boston ranks 17th in scoring, with 17 points per game.
The Fever (10-8) sit in third place in the Eastern Conference and rank seventh in the WNBA standings. They went 6-4 over their last 10 games.
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“It’s a good time because we have all week next week,” White said of Clark’s absence. “We will take this opportunity to get her treatment, get her healthy, get her back on the floor and see what happens.
“It’s the same thing: long-term health and wellness is the most important thing.”
White said she is “anticipating” starting backup guard Tyasha Harris in Clark’s place against the Sparks. Harris, who joined the Fever in April, averaged 1.8 points and 1.5 assists per game through 13 appearances this season.
The Fever will host the Sparks at 8 p.m. EDT Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Sparks (8-9) rank 10th in the WNBA standings.
White and the Fever will get a seven-day break between games after hosting the Sparks. They will then battle the Las Vegas Aces on July 5 in Las Vegas.
