Caitlin Clark’s stellar performance for the Indiana Fever on Friday night was so overwhelming that the Chicago Sky resorted to desperate measures to slow her down—by physically knocking her to the ground.
Yes, you read that right. Late in the game, as the Fever were cruising to a dominant victory, Clark appeared poised to lead a fast break that could have further extended their lead. However, her momentum was abruptly halted by Diamond DeShields, who, in a puzzling move, barreled into Clark during the transition play.
DeShields then attempted to downplay the incident, acting as though the collision was accidental. But the footage of the play tells a different story.
As the video circulated, WNBA fans were quick to condemn DeShields for the blatant foul.
“I’m not sure how this league stays in business if they don’t clean up their act. Caitlin is a massive blessing to the WNBA,” one fan remarked, highlighting the need for the league to protect its star players.
Another fan pointed out the obvious intent behind the foul, tweeting, “That’s beyond intentional. Then she acts like she didn’t know Clark was there. This is what jealousy looks like. Sad.”
A third fan took a more sarcastic approach, commenting, “People with no talent gotta do what they gotta do. WWE basketball.”
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Despite the hard foul, Clark had the final say, finishing the game with an impressive 31 points and 12 assists, leading the Fever to a resounding victory over the Sky. The win not only showcased Clark’s resilience but also marked a significant milestone for the Fever, who improved to a 16-16 record, reaching .500 for the first time this season.
Clark’s performance and the incident with DeShields have sparked a larger conversation about player conduct and the WNBA’s role in ensuring fair play.
As the league continues to grow, moments like these underscore the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game while also protecting its brightest stars.
