The Indiana Fever may very well be reprimanded for ready to announce guard Caitlin Clark (again) would miss Wednesday’s residence sport towards the Portland Fireplace minutes earlier than tip-off.
Yahoo Sports activities shared Thursday morning that the Fever might have violated WNBA guidelines on Wednesday night time. Per league guidelines, participant availability should be submitted by 5 p.m. native time the day earlier than a sport, besides throughout back-to-backs.
Clark did not follow on Tuesday however wasn’t listed on the harm report. The Fever waited 100 minutes till Wednesday’s tip-off at 7 p.m. ET to disclose the guard was out.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou famous that the league may “check out” this, given there was no indication that Clark would not play.
What did Fever coach Stephanie White say about Caitlin Clark’s harm?
Earlier than the Fever’s 90-73 win over the Fireplace, White said Clark wakened with soreness and stiffness in her again. She then added that the workforce did not sit her due to load administration.
“No, completely not,” White mentioned. “There is not any managing. She’s wholesome. We’re not managing something. That is only a again situation that we need to ensure we give the time to be prepared.”
Requested in a postgame information convention if Clark is injured, White said, “Her again is sore. If there’s something extra detailed than that, that is [for] the coaching workers [to address].”
White mentioned she does not count on Clark’s again to turn into an even bigger situation however acknowledged she’s “not a physician,” so she “[doesn’t] know.” The coach then mentioned she does not count on the Fever to be fined for the harm reporting.
“Not all people that does not follow or will get a professional day is on the harm report,” the coach mentioned. “That occurs on a regular basis. And she or he wasn’t listed on the harm report earlier as a result of we anticipated her to play.”
What punishment may the Fever face if investigated?
The Fever must pay a high-quality if the league punished them for the dealing with of this example. The Las Vegas Aces have been fined an undisclosed quantity for not itemizing middle A’ja Wilson on the harm report the day earlier than a sport towards the New York Liberty on Sept. 8, 2024 (by way of USA Today’s Callie Fin). Wilson arrived on the matchup in a medical boot.
It is too quickly to know if the Fever will face the identical punishment. If the league does launch an investigation, count on it to be thorough.
Clark is the WNBA’s biggest draw. As such, it is on the Fever to raised comply with the rules. They do not need followers to find Clark is not enjoying minutes earlier than tip-off, leaving them disillusioned.
