Will Caitlin Clark play for Indiana Fever against Golden State Valkyries? What we know about her injury

The Indiana Fever are set to face the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center on Thursday night in what could be another early-season statement game for both teams.

Indiana enters the matchup looking to build on a strong start after winning the first meeting between the two sides. The Fever secured a 90-82 victory last week, powered by Caitlin Clark, who finished with 22 points and nine assists, while Aliyah Boston added a dominant 20-point, 16-rebound performance.

The win pushed Indiana to 4-2 on the season, but they now head into a tougher environment on the road after a six-day break, which could impact the rhythm early on. Meanwhile, Golden State also sits at 4-2 and is coming off an emphatic 97-70 win over the Connecticut Sun, with contributions across the roster including strong outings from Gabby Williams and Kaila Charles.

Caitlin Clark injury update

Despite the excitement around the matchup, much of the focus remains on Clark’s health. According to the Fever’s official injury report, the star guard is currently listed as probable as she continues to deal with a back injury that has lingered over the past couple of weeks. The issue first became a concern when she missed a recent game against the Washington Mystics.

Clark is expected to be evaluated again closer to tip-off, meaning her status could still change ahead of the game. She may ultimately be cleared to play without restriction or, depending on how she feels, she could be downgraded.

She isn’t the only player dealing with an issue. Rookie Bree Hall has already been ruled out due to illness.

What Caitlin Clark said about the injury

After practice earlier this week, Clark downplayed the severity of the issue while acknowledging she’s still learning how to manage her body at the professional level.

“I think it’s just been over the course of the last year when I’ve kind of been understanding my body more,” Clark said. “Before that it was always like, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine… go play,’ and maybe sometimes I’m a little too hyper aware about certain things.”

She emphasized that the injury is not something she views as serious, but admitted she is trying to strike the right balance between caution and competitiveness.

“I don’t think it’s anything of concern,” she added.

How serious is the injury?

At this stage, the injury does not appear to be severe, but it’s notable given Clark’s recent history. She was limited to just 13 games last season due to multiple muscle-related injuries, including groin issues and a late-season ankle sprain. Because of that, the Fever may take a more cautious approach early in the season to avoid any setbacks.

Back injuries, even minor ones, can be tricky for guards who rely heavily on movement, shooting mechanics, and physical contact—making her day-to-day status worth monitoring.

If Clark is able to play, Indiana will once again have a clear edge offensively, especially given her success in the first matchup. If not, the Fever will likely rely more heavily on Boston and their depth to compensate against a Valkyries team that has already shown they can respond after a loss.

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