As the Indiana Fever tipped off their 2026 season, all eyes were on Caitlin Clark—but not just for her game. The superstar guard made multiple trips to the locker room for back treatment during the opener against the Dallas Wings, and that has Rachel DeMita, host of the Courtside Club show, genuinely worried.
DeMita, a longtime WNBA observer, watched with unease as Clark repeatedly left the court. While Clark and Fever head coach Stephanie White downplayed the episodes as routine “maintenance,” DeMita isn't so sure. On her latest episode, she pointed out that needing treatment multiple times in a single game usually signals something more serious.
“We did see her going to the back multiple times, and it’s peculiar. It’s strange. I’m not going to sit here and spread a rumor that Caitlin Clark is injured because we just don’t know,” DeMita said. “However, I haven’t seen many players go to the back multiple times unless they are doing maintenance on an injury or on something that is actually bothering them.”
Clark’s 2025 campaign was marred by a series of injuries that limited her to just over a dozen games, and the Fever’s handling of those injuries drew criticism from fans who felt the team downplayed their severity. Now, with Clark’s back issue resurfacing, the skepticism is back in full force.
White tried to calm the waters after the game, insisting that Clark’s mid-game trips were just “regular maintenance” and that other players were also receiving treatment. “I know everybody’s focused on Caitlin Clark, but our other players are going back to get regular maintenance, too. It’s just something you’re going to consistently see,” White said.
But DeMita’s concern echoes a broader worry among fans who remember last season’s frustrating pattern of promising updates followed by extended absences. The Fever, already dealing with injuries to key players like Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, and Monique Billings, can ill afford another setback for their franchise cornerstone.
The Fever lost their season opener to the Wings and now head to Los Angeles to face the Sparks. As the season progresses, the question remains: can Clark stay healthy enough to lead this team? For now, DeMita’s cautionary words linger, reminding everyone that Clark's growth could be stunted if these back issues persist.
Only time will tell if the maintenance is truly routine or a red flag. But one thing is clear: the WNBA world is watching closely, and Clark's raw emotion after the opener suggests she's not satisfied with the status quo.
