INDIANAPOLIS — For Caitlin Clark, it is what it is.
She is the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and consecutively the National Player of the Year. She and The Fever help sell out opposing venues, move teams to larger arenas and set television records.
All this puts a target on his back.
Mom of the Sky player for serious misconduct:“I’m not answering any questions from Caitlin Clark.”
Caitlin Clark effect:In 5 games, Fever exceeds last year’s attendance record
Clark expected more physical play during her transition to the WNBA. In some cases, however, Clark has been subject to what could be egregious fouls.
A prime example in Indiana’s win over Chicago on Saturday was Sky guard Chennedy Carter and Clark exchanging words following a Fever possession when Clark got a rebound off her. After Carter hit a mid-range shot on the next possession, she went to guard Clark at the entry and shoulder-checked the Fever rookie on the floor.
“I didn’t expect that,” Clark said. “But it’s just: ‘Answer, calm down and let your game do the talking.’ It’s like that.”
Despite Fever players’ call for a review, Carter was not assessed as a technical or flagrant foul. She was charged with a common foul off the ball, which resulted in a free throw for fever and possession. Clark made that free throw and the Fever ended up winning by one point, 71-70.
“That’s how it is,” Clark said. “I feel like I’m at the point where I accept it, like, let them hit you, be what it is, don’t let them get into your head, and know that it happens. I think at this point, I know I’m going to take a few hard hits a game and it is what it is, I try not to let that bother me.
“…Usually it’s the second person that gets caught if you fight back or something,” she added. “So I’m just trying to stay in the game, focus on my team and what’s important.”
Carter refused to answer questions about Clark when asked after the game.
This isn’t the only case of Clark not receiving calls, and Saturday’s interaction was enough for Fever general manager Lin Dunn to post on X to call him out.
“There is a difference between tough defense and useless targeting actions!” » Dunn posted. “This needs to stop! The league needs to ‘clean up’ this bullshit! This is NOT who this league is!!”
Clark often went without receiving calls, including one when Storm forward Ezi Magbegor blocked Clark’s shot so hard that it hit him in the top of the head on May 22, causing him to fall Clark on the ground in pain. Coach Christie Sides committed a technical foul on May 30 in the Fever’s rematch against the Storm for arguing with officials over a non-call when Clark took heavy contact to make a lay- up.
Clark has already committed three technical fouls this season – two for arguing with referees over calls and one for harassing Storm guard Victoria Vivians. Had she fought back against Carter, she might have been called for her third in three matches and fourth overall. Once players commit seven technical fouls in a season, they are suspended without pay for one game.
More:Caitlin Clark struggles with Victoria Vivians and commits third technical foul of the season
While Clark tries to avoid getting involved in these skirmishes, Sides also hopes the league will start reporting fouls that she and her team see missing.
When asked if Clark was continually being subjected to serious fouls and not getting calls, Sides paused and said quietly, “I try not to get fined,” before praising Clark’s behavior. Clark.
“We’re just going to continue to send these assets to the league, these games, and hopefully they’ll start to take a better look at some of the things that we see happening, or that we think are happening,” Sides said.
“I’m just happier that Caitlin handled it the way she did. It’s tough to keep getting hammered like she does and not get rewarded with free throws or a foul. She continues to fight through it, and I appreciate that about her.”
Follow IndyStar Fever insider Chloe Peterson on X at @chloepeterson67.
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