Another night, another bruise.
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark found herself at the center of yet another physical firestorm Tuesday night. And this time, fans are calling for her to walk away from the WNBA altogether.
In a heated matchup against the Connecticut Sun, Clark was repeatedly targeted by defenders Jacy Sheldon and Marina Mabrey. It began in the second quarter with a tense exchange involving a hard defensive stance by Sheldon and a shove from Mabrey. But things truly spiraled after halftime.
Early in the second half, Sheldon appeared to jab Clark in the eye. When Clark nudged her in response, Mabrey escalated, slamming Clark to the floor. The Fever rookie picked herself up as teammates, including Lexie Hull, jumped in.
Technical fouls were handed out to Clark and Tina Charles, Mabrey received her own, and Sheldon was hit with a flagrant 1. But no ejections were issued for the altercation.
Fans Say Enough Is Enough
Late in the game, chaos erupted again. Sophie Cunningham was ejected with a flagrant 2, Sheldon was tossed after picking up a second technical, and Lindsay Allen joined them following contact with Cunningham. Despite the melee, no players were suspended, only fined.
Clark delivered her own answer in the fourth quarter, drilling a deep three over Sheldon and shouting toward the Sun bench.
“Caitlin Clark should leave the WNBA.”
That’s what some fans are now saying.
“She could do much better for herself in @thebig3 with @icecube and be treated with more respect,” one supporter posted.
Others echoed the sentiment, calling for Clark to play in Europe, or even start her own league.
“No one cares about this league,” another fan wrote. “They only tune in to watch Clark.”
Even conservative commentator Clay Travis weighed in:
“If I could buy stock in Caitlin or the rest of the WNBA without her, I’m buying Caitlin Clark stock over the entire WNBA combined.”
Clark’s Treatment Sparks Bigger Questions About League Priorities
The physical targeting of Clark isn’t new. She’s been under pressure since her debut. Just last month, she was at the center of another flare-up with Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, leading to a league investigation into racist behavior by fans. That probe found no wrongdoing by Indiana fans, but the incident only deepened concerns about the league’s ability, or willingness, to protect its biggest star.
So far, Clark has kept quiet. But the message from her fanbase is getting louder: The WNBA needs Caitlin Clark more than she needs the WNBA.