Caitlin Clark's return falls flat after Fever coach limits her in loss to shorthanded Sparks

All eyes were connected Caitlin Clark connected Wednesday nighttime arsenic she made her anticipated instrumentality from wounded successful a roadworthy matchup successful Los Angeles.

But alternatively of a triumphant comeback, the Fever spent the full nighttime chasing the Sparks arsenic Clark's unsmooth instrumentality fueled a 106-92 rout.

The superstar ne'er recovered a groove, looking wholly retired of sync successful her instrumentality from a backmost injury.

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Caitlin Clark huddles with teammates arsenic the Indiana Fever conflict the Sparks. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) ((Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images))

Much of that disjointed show falls squarely connected caput manager Stephanie White, who kept Clark connected a ridiculously choky leash by limiting her to conscionable 16 minutes. The stop-and-go attack could person sabotaged immoderate accidental for the phenom to found a rhythm.

Clark finished with conscionable 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Her minus-16 plus-minus told the story.

The Los Angeles Sparks were severely shorthanded, taking the level without stars Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink.

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Yet portion a depleted Sparks roster played to win, Indiana spent the nighttime over-managing its biggest asset.

With Clark connected a minutes regularisation and Aliyah Boston retired of the lineup, Kelsey Mitchell was forced to enarthrosis the full violative burden.

Mitchell did her part, pouring successful 29 points portion shooting 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Caitlin Clark orchestrates the Fever discourtesy arsenic Indiana battles the Los Angeles Sparks successful primetime action. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) ((Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images))

But 1 blistery manus couldn't halt an businesslike LA squad.

The Sparks changeable 45% from three-point range, going 9-of-20 from heavy to cruise to the 106-92 victory.

White's adjacent determination is to beryllium Clark against the Mercury connected Thursday portion Boston returns.

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After Wednesday's nonaccomplishment to a shorthanded Sparks team, it's just to question whether Indiana's cautious attack is working. The Fever dropped to 12-9.

Caitlin Clark and Dearica Hamby look disconnected arsenic Fever and Sparks conflict astatine Crypto.com Arena successful Los Angeles. (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images))

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