Caitlin Clark was back Wednesday night. The win was not. The Los Angeles Sparks beat the Indiana Fever 106-92, spoiling Clark's return from a back injury and snapping their own three-game losing streak in the process.

Clark played 16 minutes and scored nine points in her first game since the injury sidelined her, according to the Associated Press. She'd missed two games. Indiana clearly wasn't interested in testing her back in mid-July, and the minutes limit showed.

Caitlin Clark's Return: 9 Points in 16 Minutes

Nobody should read too much into one restricted night. Clark eased in, Indiana managed her workload, and the Fever offense ran through Kelsey Mitchell instead. Mitchell delivered, pouring in a game-high 29 points. Lexie Hull added 14, Damiris Dantas had 12 and Tyasha Harris chipped in 10.

The bigger problem was who else Indiana didn't have. Aliyah Boston sat out with a right leg injury, and without her anchoring the paint, the Fever gave up 106 points. That's the whole game in one number.

Nneka Ogwumike Leads Five Sparks in Double Figures

Nneka Ogwumike finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and she had plenty of help. Rae Burrell scored 22, Dearica Hamby went for 21 points and nine rebounds, and Erica Wheeler and Ariel Atkins added 12 apiece.

Here's the part that should worry the rest of the league a little: Los Angeles did that without Kelsey Plum (lower left leg) or Cameron Brink (left ankle). Five players in double figures with two starters in street clothes is a depth statement, not a fluke.

How the Sparks Took Control

Indiana led 25-21 after the first quarter, per the ESPN box score. Then the second quarter happened. Los Angeles outscored the Fever 27-16 before halftime, stretched the lead to 82-71 through three, and never let Indiana make it interesting late.

The loss dropped Indiana to 12-9. The Sparks improved to 9-11 and stopped a three-game slide that had been threatening to bury their season. Indiana still leads the season series 2-1, a detail that could matter in a tiebreaker scenario down the stretch.

Fever Schedule Outlook and Clark's Minutes

Expect Indiana to keep Clark on a leash for a bit. Nine points in 16 minutes isn't her baseline, it's a re-entry ramp, and the Fever have every reason to protect the player their playoff hopes are built around. Boston's leg is the other situation worth watching, because Wednesday showed what this defense looks like without her.

For Los Angeles, the formula is on tape now. When Ogwumike, Hamby and Burrell hit like this, the Sparks can outscore anybody, with or without Plum and Brink.

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