Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise in the WNBA has not only made her the league’s brightest star this season but also one of its most targeted players on the court. As a rookie with the Indiana Fever, Clark has shattered records and drawn impressive viewership, yet this success has come at a physical cost.
A viral post recently highlighted the troubling frequency of flagrant fouls committed against her, revealing that nearly 20% of such fouls this season have been directed at Clark. The Chicago Sky, in particular, has been singled out as the primary offender, having been responsible for 80% of these fouls in a recent 100-81 Fever victory.
This statistic has ignited heated discussions among fans, with many accusing the Sky of resorting to “dirty” tactics to slow down the Rookie of the Year frontrunner. One fan voiced their concern by pointing out that this trend seems to support the notion that Clark is being unfairly targeted, expressing frustration that the WNBA has yet to address the issue directly.
RELATED: Caitlin Clark Criticizes Media for Overhyping Rookie of the Year Award
Although fellow rookie Angel Reese was not involved in the flagrant fouls, she hasn’t escaped criticism. Fans recall an incident earlier in the season when Reese appeared to congratulate Chicago’s Chennedy Carter after a particularly hard foul on Clark, fueling accusations of intentional targeting.
The mounting concerns over Clark’s safety on the court have led to calls for stricter officiating and better protection for players to ensure that the game’s brightest talents are not sidelined by excessive physical play.