Caitlin Clark photo lays WNBA truth bare as alarming injuries from on-court bust-ups emerge
WNBA fans are concerned for Caitlin Clark after an alarming photo showing her covered in scratches and bruises after a recent game.
Clark scored 37 points including making a career-high eight three-pointers in a 113-90 win for Indiana Fever over the Chicago Sky on Sunday.
While plenty of attention went to former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom watching courtside after he was ejected and later banned from the arena following a heated exchange with Natasha Cloud, he was not the only recognizable name watching.
After the game, Clark met Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, posing for a picture together on the court later shared by the Fever on social media.
But fans were quick to notice visible marks on Clark’s left arm and raised concerns over the way she is being treated and physically harmed by opposing players.
Clark scored 37 points against the Chicago Sky in a big win for the Indiana Fever
Fans spotted visible scratches on Clark’s arm after the game in photos posted on social media
‘Proof of CC Treatment,’ one fan responded. ‘The league, officials, haters saying that she is flopping just look at the signs of the physicality that she endures each and every night. There is now a new Basketball term in WNBA for defensive intensity ‘CC Treatment’.’
Others claimed she looked like she had just played a football game and said: ‘LOOK at her knees and arms with all the fresh cuts. Crazy for basketball.’
Another reacted: ‘Somebody or a few Sky players scratched the heck out of Caitlin’s arm! Looks like she’s been in a cat fight! Sky players can’t guard CC so they hold, pull, wrap themselves around her. Her markings show the abuse.’
However, others suggested that the marks were not unusual for a basketball game, with one user commenting: ‘Look up scratches on Jokic, Curry, Luka or any number of top tier pros. Scratches come with the territory. This isn’t abnormal especially if you’re the focus. Caitlin is a really tough guarding assignment. If anything it says they respect her game.’
Treatment of Clark from opposing players has come under fire since she entered the league. Earlier this year, the discussion erupted again after an incident with Alyssa Thomas saw the Phoenix Mercury forward given a one-game suspension.
Thomas was punished for ‘recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area’ of Clark, on a play that was not called as a foul by officials during the game.
‘I don’t really think that it was up for debate,’ Clark said of Thomas’ act. ‘Obviously, it wasn’t called in real time. You can go back and watch the clip, I think it’s pretty straightforward…
‘I think we really need to do a better job protecting the people in this league. I’ve been in a few of those plays, but there have been plenty others across the league that haven’t got called.’
WNBA officials have been accused of failing to properly protect Clark this season
Clark has faced physical play from opponents since she entered the WNBA
Her coach, Stephanie White, slammed the officials after the game.
‘We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called. And I just say again: absolutely unacceptable,’ White said.
Outspoken teammate Sophie Cunningham added fuel to the fire by insisting players in the league are ‘definitely targeting’ Clark.
‘During real time last night, I did not see that happen,’ Cunningham said. ‘None of our team saw it happen, because I promise you, if we would have seen that happen, we would have had [Clark’s] back. Unfortunately, this type of s*** happens every single game to [Clark], and the league and the refs do absolutely nothing about it.’
‘You see the videos of literally kneeing and cheap-shotting [Clark] in the throat,’ Cunningham continued. ‘If [Thomas] did that to any of our teammates, we’d be pissed. But they are definitely targeting [Clark], and the league and the refs do nothing to protect her.’
