LOS ANGELES -- Indiana guard Caitlin Clark was limited to 16 minutes and scored nine points in her return from a two-game absence Wednesday night in a 106-92 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Clark, who has been dealing with back issues this season, shot 4-of-12 from the field and had four rebounds, three assists and four turnovers.
Fever coach Stephanie White said before Wednesday's game that Clark would sit out Indiana's rematch at Phoenix on Thursday. Center Aliyah Boston, who sat out against the Sparks with a lower right leg injury, will play against the Mercury, White said.
White said the moves were precautionary in order to not have the two All-Stars, who have been dealing with nagging injuries, play on consecutive nights.
"When you know better, you do better," White said of trying to keep players as healthy as possible with the demands of the schedule. "We have to be able to use all of our resources."
Clark played her first game since the Fever's 111-109 loss to Phoenix in Indianapolis on June 24. She left that game early with back issues.
Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas was penalized after that game by the league for a flagrant 2 foul she committed against Clark and was suspended for one game.
Thursday's game at Phoenix will be the last regular-season meeting between the Mercury and Fever and will mark the third of their four-game west coast road swing.
