Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark shared a playful moment with a WNBA referee from the sidelines on Saturday despite not playing as she deals with a lingering groin injury

Caitlin Clark on the Fever sideline(Image: Getty Images)

Second-year star Caitlin Clark was again absent with a left groin injury for the Indiana Fever (9-9), marking her fifth straight missed contest.

Against the Los Angeles Sparks (6-13) on Saturday, the Fever, the recent WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champions with Clark sidelined, saw their mini three-game losing streak come to an end with a narrow 89-87 loss. The former University of Iowa standout was jovial as ever on the sidelines and remained involved in the ebbs and flows of the contest.

During a first-half timeout, Clark went to dap up referee Jason Alabanza while he pointed toward the basket. However, the Fever star was left empty-handed as the referee remained locked in on the basket.

Eventually, Alabanza clocked Clark from the side of her eye and reached out to give her a friendly shoulder tap as the injured player chuckled.

Clark was not dressed in an Indiana uniform and has kept her sideline fits rather minimal.

On Saturday, she rocked black sweatpants under a black Fever t-shirt.

Indiana’s defense held up in the Commissioner’s Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday and against the 2023 WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, resulting in the Fever’s first win in Sin City since 2019.

However, Indiana squandered a late lead in the 89-87 loss — the most points allowed by the team since May 24 against the New York Liberty — and dropped to 9-9 on the season (5-5 without Clark, 4-4 with her)

Offseason acquisition Kelsey Plum scored 20 for the Sparks while Azura Stevens poured in a team-high 21 points while grabbing 12 rebounds.

Aliyah Boston led all scorers with 23 points for the Fever to continue her hot stretch.

Natasha Howard, the Commissioner’s Cup MVP, scored 21 points on 8/11 shooting while Kelsey Mitchell tallied her typical 19.

Indiana coach Stephanie White emphasized to the press on Friday that Clark wants to return free from any sort of minute limitations.

“She’s stated she’s not a fan of minute restrictions,” the first-year Fever coach said at team practice on Friday.

“If there is going to be a minutes restriction, maybe we’ll hold her another game,” she continued. “I prioritize her long-term health and wellness and making sure that when she comes back, she’s 100 percent.”

Indiana’s next contest is Wednesday, when it plays at home against the expansion Golden State Valkyries (9-8).