“Cathy (Engelbert) added a lot of games. Nine games in 18 days; that’s not really responsible for a commissioner,” said the Mercury’s Satou Sabally following a 77-89 loss on Saturday to the Storm. Sabally’s comments came on the heels of Phoenix’s fourth game of the week, which led the team to reach ten games played before any other league member.

Clark's ongoing absence is the first extended time away the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year has experienced in her young career. The former Hawkeye did not miss a game during her four-year college career and played every game during her first season in the WNBA in 2024.