Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever guard to return to practice Friday, but will not play vs. Aces on Sunday

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is getting closer to a return. Clark — who missed the team's last game due to a back injury — will return to practice Friday, she confirmed.

Despite that, Clark will not play in Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Aces.

Clark instead hinted at a possible return during the team's upcoming back-to-back against the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury. Those games are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Clark seemed to indicate she would only appear in one of those games, calling it "difficult coming back in a back-to-back" before adding that she feels "a lot better."

Clark, 24, has returned to form this season after a slight dip in production last year. The third-year guard is averaging a career-high 21.2 points over 17 games this season. While she's been productive, Clark has once again missed time due to various injuries, though nothing as serious as she dealt with last year.

Her performance was strong enough to earn a starting spot on the All-Star team this season.

The Fever have jumped out to an 11-8 start to the season. The team is on a slightly better pace than last year, when it won 24 games and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.