Caitlin Clark writhes in pain after ‘hostile act’ from WNBA rival – who then escapes punishment
Caitlin Clark was once again floored by a WNBA opponent on Sunday night in an incident that was reviewed by referees for a ‘hostile act’.
The Indiana Fever superstar tried to defend Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces during the second quarter of her team’s 109-75 victory.
But, as Clark tried to stop Gray from getting her shot away, the Aces star appeared to use her left elbow to strike Clark’s midriff.
Gray pushed off of Clark and took a shot at the basket but, as she did so, Clark fell to the floor in agony.
The incident led referees to review the play for a potential ‘hostile act’. That decision infuriated Gray and teammate Becky Hammon, who protested the decision to review.
Clark remained on the floor as the review process played out and, when she eventually returned to her feet, she was left holding her back having recently dealt with injury issues.
Caitlin Clark was took an elbow to the midriff from Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces
Referees reviewed the play for a ‘hostile act’ but, ultimately, Gray faced no punishment
After Gray had taken her shot, Clark fell to the floor in agony after taking another heavy blow
The referees eventually ruled the player as a common foul for Clark, which sparked a furious reaction from the Fever star.
‘It’s not a foul,’ she said as coach Stephanie White led her back to the bench.
Clark is currently walking a disciplinary tightrope. She already has five technicals this season, leaving her on the brink of a one-game suspension.
The latest example of rough play comes after Clark was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas last month.
Thomas served a one-game suspension without pay for the ‘non-basketball act’, after a postgame review determined that she had recklessly made contact with Clark’s throat with her closed fist.
A group of 11 Republican lawmakers even wrote a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert last week demanding WNBA Commissioner take ‘accountability’ for the ‘multiple attacks’ on Clark.
Clark had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 points as the Fever beat A’ja Wilson and the Aces 109-75,
Mitchell became the fifth player in WNBA history to score at least 25 points in six consecutive games, joining Wilson, Tina Charles, Arike Ogunbowale and Maya Moore.
A common foul was eventually called on Clark, causing her to protest to the referees
Fever star Caitlin Clark was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas
Aliyah Boston added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Fever, and Sophie Cunningham scored 20 points and tied her season high with six three-pointers.
Wilson finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds and Gray added 15 points for the Aces. Las Vegas, which beat Phoenix 106-58 on Saturday, fell a half-game behind WNBA-leading Minnesota into a second-place tie with Golden State.
Clark, on a minutes restriction as she recovers from a lingering back injury, made five of 11 from the field, just one of five from behind the arc.
Mitchell had her 39th consecutive game scoring in double figures, the second-longest streak of its kind in franchise history.
