In case you haven’t been paying close attention to the start of Caitlin Clark’s WNBA career, the former Iowa star and No. 1 overall pick has been getting fouled.
Oftentimes, hard. And quite a lot.
Another prime example came on Saturday afternoon when Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter unnecessarily hip-checked Clark while she was waiting for an inbounds pass, knocking her to the floor. Carter was only assessed with a common foul.
After the game – which the Fever won 71-70 with Clark tallying 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists – Indiana head coach Christie Sides showed some restraint when answering a question about Clark getting fouled hard. Sides said that the Fever have been sending in clips of Clark getting roughed up to the league office and will continue to do so.
“I’m trying not to get fined… Hopefully they’ll start taking a better look at some of the things we see happening.”
Christie Sides on Caitlin Clark continuously getting fouled hard and not getting those calls:
Says the Fever have been submitting plays to the league throughout the season for review. pic.twitter.com/HhznXNP8Xc
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 1, 2024
Fever general manager Lin Dunn went a step further than Sides after the game:
There’s a difference between tough defense and unnecessary— targeting actions! It needs to stop! The league needs to “ cleanup” the crap! That’s NOT who this league is!! https://t.co/jI0xgTPfrC
— Chalk Talk (@LD_ChalkTalk) June 1, 2024
Clark and Carter were both asked after the game about their interaction and had very different responses.
Caitlin Clark on the interaction:
"I wasn't expecting that, but it's just, 'Respond, calm down and let your play do the talking.' It is what it is.”
She added that she doesn’t want to retaliate, and usually the responding player gets penalized. https://t.co/5Uy87B2hPp
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 1, 2024
Clark and the Fever play again on Sunday against the New York Liberty.