While the Indiana Fever lose their best player with yet another injury, HC Stephanie White is looking on the bright side for Caitlin Clark.

Clark left the game against the Phoenix Mercury in the third quarter on Wednesday with a back injury she has been dealing with throughout the season, and she did not return to the court.

However, White has revealed that Clark is doing alright and that the Fever would rather focus on her long-term well-being than risk something severe by forcing her to play without proper treatment.

"Obviously it's a good time because we have all week next week," White said. "So we'll take this opportunity just 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 also reminded us of Clark's sophomore year, when she played only 13 games after dealing with multiple soft-tissue injuries in her lower body. Such disruptions took a toll on her physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Clark's back has been bugging her since the opening game of the season against the Dallas Wings. Thankfully for the Fever, they do not play until July 5, following their game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday.

Still, the presence of the 2024 No. 1 overall pick will be missed for the time being. Clark is one of the top scorers and assisters in the WNBA this season, averaging 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.

More than her injury, Clark has been in major headlines after receiving a fist to the throat from Mercury's Alyssa Thomas. White pointed out the double standards the Fever star has to face since her inception in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark's Officiating Needs Fixing

While Thomas did not even receive a foul on the floor after that sequence, she was later upgraded to a flagrant 2, leading to a one-game suspension.

White took a deep dive during Friday's practice when asked whether she was satisfied with the league's response to the incident. While she was content with Thomas receiving a flagrant 2, she revealed the inconsistencies in today's officiating.

"The biggest thing for me is we have to see it in real-time," White said.

"We've got to be better. I think I'm pretty consistent in messaging that we need consistency, not just in how a game is officiated but how players are officiated, and how Caitlin is officiated," she added.

The WNBA and Clark's officiating have long been a topic of controversy, and it remains to be seen whether White's words will bring about a much-needed change for all.

So, what other inconsistencies in officiating have you noticed that need attention? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy