For the first time in two weeks, Caitlin Clark is all set to wear her uniform. But just when fans were getting ready to celebrate her return, Stephanie White revealed there was one important catch to the team’s plan. 

“[Boston] is gonna be out tonight,” White said, as shared by IndyStar’s Chloe Peterson. “Again, with the back-to-back, Caitlin is gonna be active tonight; AB is not. Then they’ll flip-flop tomorrow night.”

And this cautious approach is hardly surprising because the Fever is entering a busy stretch of their schedule, so White appears to be prioritizing long-term health over forcing both stars onto the floor on consecutive nights.

“Again, what’s in the best long-term interest of our players?” White said Wednesday, as reported by The Athletic. “Not just short term, in the game-to-game (outlook), but what’s in the best long-term interest in a season and in a career? So, I’m thankful for our medical team to stay on top of that. They hold us accountable to making sure that we stay (committed) to whatever our restrictions are.”

So, as the first back-to-back for Indiana arrives, Clark will return on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Sparks and will then sit out Thursday night against the Mercury as she continues to tend to her season-long back issues. Meanwhile, Boston will be out on Wednesday due to a lower right leg injury and is likely to return on Thursday

“From a health standpoint, just getting back into it, I would assume I’d be on a minutes restriction (Wednesday),” Caitlin Clark said, per ESPN. “Still hopeful of a little bit more than 20 if I’m able to go. Hopefully, I feel good after the game versus Los Angeles and then will be available in (Las) Vegas (on Sunday) .”

But this changes the complexion of one of the most anticipated games on Indiana’s schedule.

Ever since Alyssa Thomas received a one-game suspension and a Flagrant 2 for making contact with Caitlin Clark’s throat on June 24th, fans circled their rematch on July 9th, expecting to see the two stars lock horns once again. That won’t happen, but it doesn’t mean the emotion surrounding the matchup has disappeared.

On the latest episode of the Post Moves podcast, Aliyah Boston didn’t hide her feelings about Thomas’ actions against CC.

“That should’ve never been done,” the Fever forward said. “You don’t put your hand on someone’s throat and damn-near kick them on the floor. It’s a basketball game. What are we doing?”

“Obviously, that was the right call,” she added, pointing to the league’s decision around the Mercury star.

So while Caitlin Clark won’t be on the floor on Thursday, Boston made it clear that what unfolded in late June still lingers within the Fever’s locker room. But whether everything boils over again remains to be seen.