LOS ANGELES - Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark expressed disappointment with the result after Wednesday night's 106-92 defeat to the Los Angeles Sparks, yet she reported that her body felt strong following her first contest in two weeks.

Clark had sat out a pair of games due to back problems that surfaced on June 24 in the Fever's 111-109 setback against Phoenix. She logged 16 minutes against the Sparks, posting nine points on 4-of-12 shooting along with four rebounds, three assists and four turnovers.

"It will require time to regain endurance," Fever coach Stephanie White said regarding Clark. "She had not practiced extensively either. The full-court pressure demands stamina, and reintegration after injury is always challenging. She should continue to improve."

Clark alternated on the floor in brief segments of about three minutes before stepping off to maintain looseness in her back.

"It proves very difficult to establish rhythm," Clark noted. "I received solid scoring opportunities for the most part, though some converted and others did not. I lacked my typical game feel, but my body feels excellent overall. That stands as a positive from today, even if the team effort fell short."

Clark had been averaging 21.2 points and 8.2 assists before the All-Star selection, and she has voiced past reluctance toward minutes limits, a stance she maintains. The Fever medical team ultimately decided her playing time.

"A game setting differs greatly from practice after two or more weeks away," Clark explained. "My workouts have been intense and effective, yet the live environment remains unpredictable."

White confirmed earlier that Clark would rest Thursday against Phoenix, while center Aliyah Boston, sidelined versus the Sparks due to a leg issue, is expected to return. These steps aim to avoid back-to-back games for the All-Stars managing ongoing ailments. Boston has played in 19 of 21 contests, and Clark in 18. The Fever sorely missed Boston's 17.1 points and 8.6 rebounds on Wednesday.

Guard Kelsey Mitchell paced Indiana with 29 points but voiced frustration over the team's defense, which permitted the Sparks to shoot 51 percent and exceed 100 points. The offense appeared fragmented as well.

"Offensive execution suffers without solid ball defense," Mitchell said. "Our defensive play was simply poor."

The Fever seek improvement Thursday in their season finale versus the Mercury. Their prior June 24 matchup grew heated, with Clark exiting early due to her back and Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas later suspended one game for a flagrant foul involving contact to Clark's neck.

White clarified that the decision to rest Clark against Phoenix stemmed from medical discussions tied to injury timelines rather than that incident.

Playing Wednesday instead provides Clark added recovery ahead of Sunday's road finale at Las Vegas, where the Fever prevailed 84-68 without her on July 5.

Clark expressed hope for increased minutes Sunday, though the medical staff will determine that.

"I feel optimistic about reaching perhaps 25 minutes versus Vegas," she said. "Yet I do not control these choices. As a competitor I believe I can handle more, but that mindset risks setbacks."