After a five-game absence, Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark made her return to the lineup. Clark missed the last five games with a left groin injury.
Clark's stint on the sideline was her second of the season after she missed five games earlier in the year with a left quad injury. Overall, she has missed 10 of the Fever's 18 games this season.
After playing in every game since her sophomore year of high school, Clark has struggled to stay healthy this season.
During her second absence of the season, the Fever went 3-2, including an impressive victory over the Minnesota Lynx in the championship game of the Commissioners Cup.
On Wednesday, the Fever welcomed back their superstar and hosted Kate Martin and the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
lunch time 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/lzJww9XLop
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 9, 2025
In Clark's highly anticipated return to the court, the Indiana Fever came out strong, but it quickly went sideways. The Fever took an early 20-11 lead, but the Valkyries closed the first quarter on a 10-3 run.
The Fever started the second quarter strong and took a seven-point lead midway through the quarter. The Valkyries used suffocating defense to make life difficult for the Fever and took the lead late in the quarter.
Golden State's lead ballooned to nine points at halftime, and Indiana was not able to recover. From the end of the second quarter until midway through the third quarter, the Valkyries used a 15-0 run to push their lead to 15.
Indiana cut into the lead, making the deficit only five points (55-50), but Golden State used two separate 9-0 runs in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Golden State held Indiana to 31 percent shooting from the field and 22 percent from three-point range in the 80-61 victory.
Clark was held in check, scoring only 10 points, and added five rebounds and six assists in her return. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever in scoring with 12 points.
The Fever will look to rebound in their next game as they welcome a tough Atlanta Dream squad to Indianapolis on Friday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time.