INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark left the Indiana Fever's 111-109 loss to Phoenix with a back injury in the third quarter Wednesday night.
The All-Star guard has been dealing with a back issue this season and left with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter. She went back to the locker room and didn't return.
Clark appeared to tweak her back in the second quarter when she was fouled shooting a 3-pointer in the second quarter. She fell to the ground and was rubbing her back as she stood up. In the first quarter she went back to the tunnel and returned to the bench wearing a wrap around her back.
She finished the game with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes.
The two teams met Monday night and there were six technical fouls called and one ejection. Clark picked up her fifth technical in that game. The team is petitioning the league to have it rescinded. The physical play continued on Wednesday. On one play in the second quarter, Clark fell to the court as she drove and as players went for the loose ball, Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas appeared on video to put her fist into Clark's neck.
No foul was called on the play, but the league could review it for a flagrant foul.
“It was egregious. The fact that it was a no-call … You got to call it," said Fever coach Stephanie White. "You’re coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that (expletive) still happens? Absolutely unacceptable.”
Clark has been listed on the injury report for most of the season with a back injury after she missed one game because of it. The Fever hadn't given her any injury designation for the game she didn't play and were warned by the league for not doing that.
Clark is currently second in All-Star fan voting that was released Wednesday behind teammate Aliyah Boston.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots over Atlanta Dream forward Sika Kone (23) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Neymar has finally played in this World Cup, and Brazil has a superstar back in time for the knockout rounds.
Neymar checked in during the 76th minute against Scotland on Wednesday, with the team leading 3-0 and well on its way to clinching a spot in the knockout stage that starts next week. Brazil won by that score.
His appearance wasn't a surprise: Brazil said earlier this week that he would be available, clearing the way for the forward to make his debut after missing the first two matches because of a right calf injury.
It was his first appearance for Brazil since 2023.
“I’m very happy to be wearing the national team jersey again after three years,” he told Brazilian media, following an emotional embrace with his family before he left the field. “I feel fine physically. Obviously, it was tough being sidelined for all those days.”
He did not start, and it seemed like that was the plan Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had all along when he raised the possibility earlier this week that Neymar could play as a substitute.
And when Neymar got off the bench to start doing some warmup sprints and stretches along the sideline during the second half, fans in that area absolutely roared. The cheers got louder when he checked in, as well as when he made his first touch.
“A very important moment for all of us,” Vinícius Júnior, who scored two goals for Brazil, said in Portuguese. “Our idol is back, a guy who always fought hard and did everything to be here, returning after a spell out with injury. I hope he can keep evolving and keep improving, helping us throughout the competition. That's what matters most.”
Neymar acknowledged the reaction from the Brazil fans.
“It was a mix of emotions when I came on, because it had been a long time away from the national team,” he said. “Thank God everything went well and I was able to return.”
Neymar was one of the final players to get off Brazil’s bus Wednesday, flashing a thumbs-up, giving a wave and slapping hands with a few well-wishers as he made his way inside Hard Rock Stadium and toward the locker room.
“He is available. He trained very well this week,” Ancelotti said Tuesday. “He is fit and able, ready to play. We are very happy that he is back. He is a high-quality player.”
The calf injury had sidelined Neymar for more than a month. He went through a training session on Sunday, one of the final hurdles before he could get into this World Cup.
He indicated he's ready for more going forward.
“I can play 200 minutes,” he said.
Neymar is Brazil’s career scoring leader with 79 goals in 130 international appearances. The 34-year-old appeared in each of the past three World Cups for Brazil, scoring eight goals.
His role — and whether he deserves to be on this team at all — has been a major talking point among Brazil's passionate fans for some time. Neymar has struggled since returning from tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2023 in a World Cup qualifier, and has four goals in eight matches for Brazilian club Santos this season.
“Every player here will be a huge help to us in this competition,” Vinícius said.
AP Sports Writers Alanis Thames and Tales Azzoni contributed to this report.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Brazil's Neymar (10) reacts as he takes the field during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Brazil's Neymar (10) gestures as he leaves the field following the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Brazil's Neymar (10) celebrates after the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Brazil's Neymar (10) celebrates after the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Brazil's Neymar (10) prepares to take the field during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Brazil's Neymar (10) prepares to take the field during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Brazil's Neymar (10) reacts as he takes the field during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Brazil's Neymar (10) challenges for the ball with Scotland's Kenny McLean (23) and Lewis Ferguson (19) during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Brazil's Neymar (10) looks on before the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwanmura)
