Caitlin Clark Continues to Be Targeted, and the WNBA Refs Are Letting It Slide
It’s becoming impossible to ignore: Caitlin Clark is being targeted on the court, and WNBA officials are doing little to protect her. Physical play is expected for a rising star, but what’s happening to Clark goes well beyond competitive defense. it’s now reckless and dangerous.
In the Indiana Fever’s recent win over the Connecticut Sun, Clark was raked across the eye by Jacy Sheldon, then knocked to the floor by Marina Mabrey, in a single possession. Yet, somehow, Mabrey wasn’t ejected, and both players received technical fouls, including Clark for reacting to being poked in the face. That’s not just bad officiating. It’s a clear failure to uphold player safety.
WNBA: This Isn’t a One-Time Issue
This isn’t an isolated incident. From Chennedy Carter’s infamous hip check to repeated hard fouls this season. Clark has consistently been the recipient of excessive contact with no real consequence for the offenders. And while Clark never asks for superstar favoritism, she certainly deserves a fair whistle.
“The special one she was once said to supposedly benefit from actually goes completely in the other direction.”
She continues to show resilience, bouncing back and putting up numbers night after night. But that doesn’t excuse the league from its responsibility. The WNBA has the tools to issue flagrant calls and enforce discipline.
The League Must Step In Now
If the league wants to protect its rising stars and maintain credibility, the time to act is now. Clark is the most valuable asset in the WNBA in terms of ratings, marketability, and talent. Ignoring the repeated physical play against her risks not just her health, but the league’s integrity.
Caitlin Clark can take the hits. The question is, how long will the league let her keep taking them without accountability?
Read More: Calls Mount for WNBA to Take Further Action After Caitlin Clark Clash
