Caitlin Clark scores 22 in Fever return

Caitlin Clark returned on May 22 after missing one game with back soreness and helped the Indiana Fever beat the Golden State Valkyries 90-82 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Clark scored 22 points and handed out nine assists as Indiana won its third straight game and improved to 4-2. Aliyah Boston added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Kelsey Mitchell scored 19, according to game reports and box score data. ### How did Clark look in her first game back? Clark played 32:07 and shot 7-for-15 from the field, including 4-for-9 from 3-point range, according to the box score. She also had two rebounds, one steal and one block, though she committed six turnovers and five fouls. Before the game, Clark said the issue was not structural. (apnews.com) Fox59 reported that Clark said her back had “just tightened up” and that she felt “good” going into Friday night’s game after sitting out Indiana’s previous game. ### What swung the game for Indiana? (sportsdata.usatoday.com) Indiana outscored Golden State 29-17 in the third quarter after trailing 44-37 at halftime, according to the box score. The Fever finished with a 46% field-goal rate and 22 assists, while the Valkyries shot 37.1% and had 11 assists. Boston’s production inside gave Indiana a second anchor alongside Clark. (fox59.com) The Fever’s official recap said Boston recorded her 42nd career double-double, while Mitchell’s 19 points helped steady the offense. ### Why was a Flagrant 1 called on Clark? USA Today reported that Clark was assessed a Flagrant 1 during the game, adding a second storyline to her return. (sportsdata.usatoday.com) Search results and game coverage tied the foul to a physical sequence involving Golden State forward Janelle Salaün. (fever.wnba.com) The game itself was foul-heavy. Golden State committed 24 fouls and Indiana 26, and the teams combined to attempt 56 free throws, according to the box score. ### What did the win mean for Indiana’s start? The Fever moved to 4-2 and extended their winning streak to three games with the victory on May 22. (usatoday.com) Golden State fell to 3-2, according to USA Today’s box score page. The result also came two days after ESPN reported that the WNBA had warned Indiana for leaving Clark off its injury report before her late scratch against Portland. (foxsports.com) In a separate ESPN report, Clark said returning from injuries has been a “real mental challenge” after the interruptions she dealt with in 2025 and after missing Wednesday’s game with back soreness. (sportsdata.usatoday.com) ### Who else stood out for Golden State? Tiffany Hayes led the Valkyries with 19 points, and Kaitlyn Chen scored 18 off the bench, according to the box score. Veronica Burton added 17 points, while Golden State stayed close into halftime before Indiana pulled away in the third quarter. (espn.com) ### What comes next for Clark and the Fever? Indiana’s next scheduled game is May 28 against the Washington Mystics, according to the Fever schedule cited in game coverage. Golden State’s next step comes on its regular-season schedule after the two-game road stretch noted in reports around Friday’s game. (indystar.com) (sportsdata.usatoday.com)