INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever are five games into the 2026 season, yet they have only had their entire starting five healthy two times. Monique Billings (ankle), Aliyah Boston (lower leg), and Caitlin Clark (back) all have missed a game this season, and it was a different game in each instance.
Two of those are more noteworthy — Boston and Clark are All-WNBA level talents. The Fever found a way to win without them and are 3-2 so far despite still putting together what the 2026 group will look like when all is said and done.
Key players healthy or not, the Fever have been scoring well. They rank first in pace and fourth in offensive rating through May 20. In both of the Fever’s losses, they scored over 100 points. Defense has been more of a concern.
And yet, player movement and availability continues to dominate the headlines in Indianapolis.
Caitlin Clark dealing with a back injury
Clark missed her first game of the season on Wednesday, sidelined with a back injury as the Fever beat the Portland Fire. Clark wasn’t listed on the WNBA’s official injury report on Tuesday or Wednesday, but was announced as out about 100 minutes before tipoff due to her back issue.
Head coach Stephanie White said before the game that the Fever figured out Clark would not be able to play at around 5 p.m. ET. The game was at 7 p.m. White detailed that Clark woke up with stiffness and soreness. “It’s not the time to take a chance. We just really want to be cautious,” she explained. The day prior, Clark was not a full participant in practice and instead received treatment.
In the Fever’s season opener, Clark dipped back into the tunnels of Gainbridge Fieldhouse for some quick treatment on more than one occasion. Postgame, she explained that it was to get her back right.
“Just getting my back adjusted. It gets out of line pretty quickly,” Clark said at the time. “Just getting my back put back in place a little bit. Other than that, feel great.”
She played in every game this season prior to Wednesday’s victory, and White does not anticipate the injury being something that would be of ongoing concern. Clark is listed as probable for the next Indiana Fever game — a home tilt against the Golden State Valkyries on Friday.
After the Fever beat the Fire, White handled more questions about Clark’s injury. She wasn’t listed on the injury report because the Fever expected her to play, and her back is sore. As for Clark not being on the injury report, then suddenly being listed as out, White does not believe the team will be fined — she simply responded “no” when asked. What exactly happened between Clark waking up with a back issue and her being ruled out may determine that answer.
Last season, Clark dealt with groin and ankle injuries. The Fever will naturally be more cautious about her availability this season, and they made health staff changes in the offseason. After Indiana plays on Friday, they have nearly a week before their next outing. That time will help Clark, and others, get healthier.
Aliyah Boston has lower leg issue
The game before Clark’s absence, the Fever were without Boston in a win over the Seattle Storm. It was her first missed game of the season, though Boston left the game prior due to her injury in the third quarter.
Boston has been dealing with a right lower leg issue dating all the way back to Unrivaled and was considered day-to-day at the time of her absence. On Wednesday, she was back in action and had her most productive outing of the season against Portland.
“We’ve said this since the first day of training camp: We’re going to be managing her. Managing her ramp up, managing her in the day-to-day,” White said. “Again, it’s still early. There’s no reason to push anything. And we want to make sure that we’re utilizing an abundance of caution.”
Boston provides no specifics when asked about the injury, but said on the first day of training camp she was good to go. Two days after her absence, the star center added more. Boston explained that she was just being cautious, which was her call, and that she’s “had some moments” with her lower leg during the season.
It was the first time Boston missed a five-on-five game dating back to high school. The time off helped, though, and she feels better now, going through a full practice on Tuesday before playing against the Fire. “Everything’s great. I’m feeling great,” she said.
Monique Billings fully recovered from ankle injury
Billings missed the Fever’s season opener with a right ankle injury suffered during preseason play. She’s played in every game since and told The IX she is completely good to go.
“Yeah, [it’s] 110%,” she said of her ankle.
Also, some roster changes
After waiving three guards after training camp to finalize their roster for the regular season, the Indiana Fever filled their final developmental contract slot with wing Bree Hall, who they initially drafted in 2025.
Hall played for the Fever and Valkyries last season, then appeared in four playoff games for the Fever. General manager Amber Cox shared on the program Fever Weekly that Hall was dealing with some plantar fasciitis previously, but is now healed.
“We think a lot of [Hall],” Cox said. “We’ve loved her progress … A long, long wing that can really get out and defend. That’s been her calling card since her time at South Carolina. And she can knock down a three.”
For a while, that made the Fever’s roster full. But today, the team waived veteran guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. Walker-Kimbrough played in just two of the team’s first five games and amassed just seven minutes of playing time. Indiana now must fill her roster spot.
The Fever are 3-2 to start the season, with both of their losses coming by one possession. They’ll continue to tweak their roster and do what they can do achieve better health. Any advantage they can get matters with such small margins in their losses.
UPDATE: Since the publication of this article, the WNBA has issued a warning to the Indiana Fever regarding injury reporting after Clark’s absence.
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