Caitlin Clark’s transition from college basketball to the WNBA with the Indiana Fever has been fraught with physical adversity. As the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, her outstanding NCAA performances have made her a target for tough plays from opponents.
Clark’s remarkable feats have garnered intense attention, resulting in some rough encounters on the court. Notably, Chennedy Carter received a Flagrant-1 foul for a hit on Clark during a match against the Chicago Sky, and her own teammate, Angel Reese, inadvertently struck her in the face.
Despite these incidents, the 22-year-old has maintained her composure, rarely voicing complaints. However, she recently opened up about a significant injury she sustained—rupturing her eardrum due to a screen in New York.
“Honestly, I’ve been hit by a few tough screens, and I actually ruptured my eardrum in New York on one of them,” Clark shared with reporters before the Fever’s game against the Atlanta Dream. “If I had to choose the hardest moment, that would be it. The screens were effective, I just didn’t hear them coming. So, it’s kind of my own fault.”
Earlier in June, Clark faced a challenging game against the New York Liberty, where the Fever suffered a 36-point defeat. It was Clark’s lowest scoring game since joining the WNBA, managing only three points with a 10 percent field goal percentage. She left the court mid-game, citing undisclosed reasons: “I don’t want to go into details; it’d probably be pretty gross. But I feel fine. I just can’t hear well out of one ear,” she stated at the time.
Caitlin Clark: A Target on the Court
This pattern of targeting continued on Wednesday when Clark received a hard blow to the face from Stefanie Dolson. While attempting a layup, the Mystics’ 6ft5in center, Dolson, swatted the ball out of her hands.
Commentators like Bill Maher and Clay Travis have speculated that Clark’s treatment may be influenced by her being white and straight. Despite these theories, Clark persevered, ending the game with an impressive stat line: 18 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Her efforts led the Fever to an 88-81 victory over the Washington Mystics, marking their third consecutive win.
