Caitlin Clark fans are calling for the Indiana Fever guard to leave after she was ruled out of Wednesday’s game against the Portland Fire. An hour and a half before tipoff, Indiana announced that Clark would miss the game with a back injury.
Fans on social media reacted to the announcement with criticism for the Fever’s front office. Addressing Clark’s absence, coach Stephanie White said:
“(Clark) just woke up with some stiffness and soreness. … For us, it’s not the time to take a chance. We just really want to be cautious.”
Here are the most noteworthy fan reactions on X:
“Exactly what the coaches and the organisation wanted…. To diminish her and prove a point, so now we have to read comments like this. … For the love of God, @CaitlinClark22, get the hell out of there and stop taking the disrespect,” one fan said.
“Don’t let them trade u to a bad team or franchise. @CaitlinClark22. Demand to go to the Liberty,” another fan said.
“I do not like the moves by the Fever FO here. It’s shady. It’s manipulative,” a fan wrote.
“As a European, you wake up and say, ‘Hey, see! The Fever FO acted unprofessionally again,’ At some point, I lost faith that this league and the teams are run by professionals,” another fan wrote.
“‘You’re not a real Indiana Fever fan.’ Well, no s***! I’m here for Caitlin Clark. I don’t give a damn about the Fever,” one fan commented.
While Clark did not suit up, the Fever cruised to a 90-73 win against the Fire. Aliyah Boston finished with a game-high 24 points and eight rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell recorded 21 points and four assists. Lexie Hell went 4-for-4 from 3-point range, finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Stephanie White says the Fever will not actively manage Caitlin Clark’s back injury
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Fire, coach Stephanie White denied that the Fever were managing Clark’s back injury.
“No, absolutely not,” White said. “There’s no managing. She’s healthy. We’re not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give the time to be ready.”
This is not the first time that Clark has dealt with back issues this season. During the Fever’s season opener against the Dallas Wings on May 9, Clark exited the game to get her back adjusted.
“Just getting my back adjusted. It gets out of line pretty quickly,” Clark said after the game. “So, just that. Just getting my back put back in place a little bit. But other than that, I feel great.”
Clark has played 4 games this season, recording 24.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game, shooting 42.5%, including 32.4% from 3-point range.
The Fever will return to action on Friday, taking on the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. Clark’s status for that game remains unclear. She is listed as day-to-day.
Read More: Caitlin Clark Still Rubbing Salt Into Aliyah Boston’s Wounds With Hilarious South Carolina Jab
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