The Indiana Fever tipped off their 2026 season on Saturday with a tough loss to the Dallas Wings, but all eyes were on superstar guard Caitlin Clark. As the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, Clark’s return to the court was highly anticipated after an injury-riddled season that limited her to just 13 games last year. However, her frequent trips to the locker room during the game have sparked concern among fans and analysts alike.
Rachel DeMita, host of the Courtside Club show, didn’t hold back her worries. “We saw her going to the back multiple times, and it’s peculiar. It’s strange,” DeMita said. “I’m not going to spread a rumor that Caitlin Clark is injured because we just don’t know. But I haven’t seen many players go to the back multiple times unless they’re doing maintenance on an injury or something that’s actually bothering them.”
For a player of Clark’s caliber—known for her electrifying playmaking and deep-range shooting—any hint of physical issues is a red flag. The Fever’s season opener was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance to build on last year’s promise. Instead, DeMita’s comments echo what many fans are thinking: Is Clark fully healthy, or is there a deeper issue?
Fever head coach Stephanie White, however, is quick to downplay the drama. “I know everybody’s focused on Caitlin Clark, but our other players are going back to get regular maintenance, too,” White explained. “It’s just something you’re going to consistently see. This is part of maintaining the body.” White added that the team is working on Clark’s mechanics to prevent future problems. “When we’re all really young, we don’t learn proper mechanics, and then it doesn’t get exposed until something happens. We’re trying to get her body mechanically where it needs to go.”
White emphasized that this isn’t unique to Clark. “We’ve had multiple players go back to get adjusted. We don’t have a blue tent, so they go to the back to make sure the body’s working.”
The Fever have a few days to regroup before their first road game of the season against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday. That gives Clark and the team time to fine-tune any issues. For now, the message from the Fever camp is clear: It’s routine maintenance, not a crisis. But as DeMita’s concerns suggest, the sports world will be watching closely to see if Clark’s health holds up through the grueling season ahead.