Caitlin Clark speaks out on Stephanie White’s decision

Caitlin Clark needed just 24 minutes to make a significant impact on the Indiana Fever’s blowout win over the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday night.

Clark missed Indiana’s last game due to a back injury, but she returned on Sunday against the reigning champions. The three-time All-Star was under a strict minutes restriction in this one, but this was more than enough time for her to help lead Indiana to an impressive 109-75 win over A’ja Wilson and Co.

Clark finished with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, with seven rebounds, six assists and one three-pointer. It was a nice all-around performance for the 24-year-old as she continues to manage her back issue.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to the loss to Washington Mystics.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark addresses minutes restriction

Clark played just 16 minutes on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Sparks. She sat out on Thursday before returning to action for Sunday’s matchup.

Ahead of the Aces game, Fever head coach Stephanie White said Clark would be limited to 25 minutes. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star knew the plan heading in as she addressed White’s decision in her pregame interview.

“I think when it’s your first game back, it’s probably a little bit different than having some success and then me kind of telling them how I’m feeling,” Clark said.

“… So hopefully play in five-minute spurts, maybe closer to six at other points. But you also kind of have to see how the game’s going, too. And whether we’re winning, do we need to save minutes for the fourth, whatever it is.

“But those aren’t decisions I’m making in-game. That’s the coaches. But yeah, I would expect it to be basically double, if not a little bit more than what I did last time.”

Clark said pregame that she feels “ready to go” and that she’s “excited to play 25 minutes.” Her performance on the evening, albeit limited by the restriction, proved that she is, indeed, getting close to being fully healthy.

It remains to be seen if White and her coaching staff will continue to limit Clark’s playing time in their next game. The Fever get two days off before they return to action on Wednesday against the Golden State Valkyries at home.