Basketball Injury Report: Clark and Boston Cleared for Lynx Clash as Plum Nears Mercury Debut

The late-summer basketball calendar is defined by attrition, but several major franchises are receiving timely reinforcements as the WNBA playoff race intensifies and college programs begin their fall preparations. The Indiana Fever, riding a five-game winning streak, received positive news regarding their dynamic young core ahead of a crucial Sunday matchup against the red-hot Minnesota Lynx.[1][2]

Fever guard Caitlin Clark and forward Aliyah Boston have both been upgraded to probable and are expected to take the floor in Minneapolis. The availability of both stars is a massive relief for an Indiana squad looking to solidify its postseason positioning against the league's top-seeded team.[1][2]

Clark continues to manage a lingering back issue that has kept her on the injury report as a precaution since May. The franchise has opted for transparency to avoid league fines after a previous flare-up forced her out of a game against Portland, though she has consistently played through the discomfort and recently logged a 26-point triple-double.[1][2]

Boston is shaking off a lower right leg injury sustained during a hard fall against the Seattle Storm earlier in the week. The impact aggravated the same knee she injured during her offseason stint with Unrivaled, prompting immediate concern from the medical staff.[1]

However, Boston was cleared to play in Friday's 112-98 victory over the Portland Fire, logging 30 minutes and demonstrating no lingering mobility issues. Both she and Clark are expected to be full participants on Sunday, providing Indiana with its primary offensive engines.[1][2]

The Fever will still be without Damiris Dantas, who remains sidelined with a left knee injury and is currently away from the team. Dantas' absence forces Indiana to rely more heavily on its perimeter rotation and backup frontcourt pieces to match Minnesota's size.[1][2]

On the opposite side of the court, the Lynx—who boast a 24-6 record and a dominant nine-game winning streak—are relatively healthy, though they have ruled out Emma Cechova for the remainder of the season due to a torn right ACL. Minnesota will lean on Courtney Williams and Napheesa Collier to counter Indiana's returning stars.[2]

Elsewhere in the WNBA, veteran guard Kelsey Plum is listed as probable for her highly anticipated debut with the Phoenix Mercury. Plum is recovering from a lower leg injury that temporarily delayed her integration into the lineup.[3]

Plum was recently acquired from the Los Angeles Sparks in a blockbuster trade involving Monique Akoa Makani and multiple future draft picks. Her clearance to play provides Phoenix with a critical perimeter scoring threat as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.[3]

Other WNBA contenders are navigating a complex web of late-season knocks. Marina Mabrey is listed as questionable with a neck issue, while Gabby Williams is working through reconditioning and remains a game-time decision for her respective squad.[3][4]

The Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky are also managing frontcourt depletion, with Aaliyah Edwards ruled out entirely due to a knee injury and Azurá Stevens managing a day-to-day personal absence.[3][4]

In the collegiate ranks, summer practices are providing a clearer picture of roster health ahead of the 2026-27 season. The USC Trojans, looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign, received a major boost with guard Rodney Rice being officially cleared for contact.[5]

Rice, who averaged 20.3 points before suffering a season-ending right shoulder injury last year, is expected to form a potent backcourt duo with sophomore Alijah Arenas. His return to full-contact drills marks a significant milestone in a grueling eight-month rehabilitation process.[5]

USC head coach Eric Musselman noted that while the team is currently operating with limited live-action drills due to roster constraints, the goal is to have the squad fully healthy by late August. The Trojans are heavily reliant on their medical staff to navigate the preseason safely.[5]

The program is also tracking the recovery of Hawaii transfer Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, who is nearing a return from a turf toe injury that ended his previous season early. Meanwhile, Eric Reibe and KJ Lewis continue their respective rehabilitation programs and are being held out of live periods as a precaution.[5]

Beyond physical rehabilitation, the college landscape saw significant administrative clearances this week following a federal court injunction. Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen and Indiana Hoosiers forward Sam Alexis were both granted a fifth year of eligibility, instantly bolstering their respective rosters.[6][7]

The ruling ordered the NCAA to declare eligible athletes who had exhausted their four years under previous models, effectively acting as a massive personnel clearance for programs across the country. Aberdeen, who averaged 13.5 points last season, finalizes a dangerous Florida backcourt.[7]