Caitlin Clark has solely performed 10 video games within the WNBA, however she’s already well-versed in how rather more bodily the professional recreation is than school. Clark has been on the receiving finish of a number of arduous fouls to start out her rookie season, and it occurred once more in Saturday’s Indiana Fever win over the Chicago Sky, setting off one other dialog about her ‘therapy’ within the league.
On the finish of the third quarter, Sky guard Chennedy Carter knocked Clark to the bottom earlier than she obtained an in-bounds cross. Carter was solely known as for a standard foul. It seems like a reckless and intentional play with Clark standing 92-feet from the basket. Watch the total sequence right here:
Carter has at all times been a fiery participant. Again when she was with the Atlanta Dream in 2021, she was suspended by the group for apparently making an attempt to struggle teammate Courtney Williams. The Sky and Fever have been locked in a heated recreation, and there was a number of smack discuss on each side. Carter misplaced her cool and will have been whistled for a flagrant foul, nevertheless it’s additionally not completely outdoors of the norm of what different gamers have handled within the WNBA. As a result of it’s Caitlin Clark, it will get a lot extra consideration.
Replace: Carter’s foul has been modified to a Flagrant-1 in a post-game league evaluate, per ESPN.
The second solely bought larger due to the response after the sport. Clark stated: “It wasn’t a basketball play.”
Carter refused to reply questions on Clark after the sport:
Chennedy Carter on the sequence with Caitlin Clark within the third quarter: “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions.”
Full clip: pic.twitter.com/4bRnyXgPjV
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) June 1, 2024
There’s little doubt that opposing groups wish to be bodily with Clark at the beginning of her rookie season. Sure pundits have asserted that it is because gamers across the league are jealous of the numerous media protection and endorsement cash Clark will get. In actuality, groups are being bodily with Clark as a result of that’s only a good basketball technique and likewise in all probability as a result of she talks a number of trash.
Clark is 22 years outdated, and goes to wish so as to add muscle to her body over time to play by means of contact. Groups are attempting to put on her down by hitting her on drives and with screens, and she or he must play by means of that. Carter’s low cost shot clearly goes past a typical play, however speaks extra to the second level. Clark talks a number of trash on the courtroom, and she or he performs a bodily recreation in her personal proper. Right here’s Clark needling Carter earlier than the foul.
This is an prolonged have a look at the Caitlin Clark – Chennedy Carter incident, there was extra to it than the shoulder examine and Clark was clearly speaking to her on the best way again up the ground from the prior basket by Indiana pic.twitter.com/1XG1RyzTw4
— CJ Fogler account might or is probably not notable (@cjzero) June 1, 2024
Clark has introduced among the additional physicality she’s seeing on herself as a result of she’s a fiery competitor in her personal proper. Angel Reese has additionally handled this to this point in her rookie season.
Carter’s foul was removed from the primary time Clark took an enormous bump. She additionally bought hit arduous within the head a number of video games in the past by Seattle Storm heart Ezi Magbegor.
WNBA refs traditionally don’t give out a number of flagrant fouls. Whereas they don’t must “shield” Clark greater than another participant, they need to be extra keen handy out flagrant fouls when it’s applicable. Carter’s foul is one instance.
To her credit score, Clark has dealt with the added physicality of the WNBA nicely to this point each in her feedback and her play. The Fever are solely 2-8 total after the win over Chicago, nevertheless it’s a younger group nonetheless studying to play collectively. Clark is having a stable rookie season — 17 factors, 6.5 assists, 5.4 rebounds per recreation — even when she’s struggling together with her scoring effectivity. She was by no means going to be the most effective participant within the league as a rookie, however she’s nonetheless performing fairly nicely regardless of the large expectations.
Taking part in by means of physicality is simply a part of the transition to the professionals for Clark. It isn’t going to cease anytime quickly.