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The latest development in Caitlin Clark’s closely watched season came about 24 hours before tip-off for the Indiana Fever’s latest game.
Clark was listed as probable ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Golden State Valkyries as she continues to deal with a back problem early in the WNBA season.
Meanwhile, all signs point to teammate Bree Hall also being available to suit up.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark warms up on the court before a WNBA game against the Seattle Storm on May 17, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Doug McSchooler/Special to IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Caitlin Clark was a late scratch for the Fever’s May 20 game against the Portland Fire, marking her first missed game of the season. Even without Clark, Indiana rolled to a 90-73 victory. The Fever hit 90 points again last Friday, this time in a win over the Valkyries.
While there were some concerns about Clark’s availability leading up to last week’s Fever-Valkyries game, those concerns proved short-lived. Clark returned to the starting lineup and scored a game-high 22 points to help lift Indiana to its third straight victory.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark dribbles the ball as Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun defends during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 22, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
Clark’s promising start to her WNBA career was cut short by injuries in 2025. After appearing in 40 games and winning Rookie of the Year in 2024, Clark was limited to just 13 appearances last season due to a groin strain and ankle bone bruises.
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On Wednesday, during the Fever’s day off ahead of Thursday’s Golden State-Indiana rematch, Clark was spotted about a mile from the Valkyries’ home arena as he attended the San Francisco Giants’ game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Clark attended the game with her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, the former Iowa basketball player.
WNBA Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark watches the San Francisco Giants play the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on May 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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McCaffery and Clark were spotted wearing Giants hats at Oracle Park, though Clark has previously acknowledged her Phillies fandom — even if the team wasn’t initially her top choice.
“My girlfriend grew up a really big Phillies fan, so I kind of had to like the Phillies. I like them, I love Bryce Harper. I still like the Cubs, I like the Yankees. I’m not like a diehard any baseball team. My dad was a big Royals fan,” said the two-time WNBA All-Star in 2024.
“Kansas City was like a professional sports team to us. I liked the Chiefs before the Chiefs were really good, too, so I’m not a bandwagoner either. I like the Phillies, so I’ll be rooting for them this postseason.”
