Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark sustained an injury to her throat during a game against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday. The incident occurred as Clark slipped while driving to the basket, and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas inadvertently landed a fist on Clark’s throat in the ensuing scramble for the ball before stepping over the fallen player.
No foul was called on the play, which prompted a strong reaction from Fever coach Christie Sides. "It was egregious. The fact that it was a no-call... You got to call it," Sides stated. "You're coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that s--t still happens? Absolutely unacceptable."
The consecutive games between the Fever and the Mercury have been marked by intense play. A game on Monday resulted in six technical fouls and one ejection. Clark herself received a technical foul during that game for applauding in the direction of former teammate DeWanna Bonner following a brief altercation.
These incidents have reignited discussions about the treatment Clark receives in the WNBA. Former WNBA player Stacey Dales commented, "This. Tonight was a pivotal moment in Caitlin Clark’s season and career. It's time the league takes notes and adjusts. It impacts a franchise."
Clark ultimately left Wednesday's game with a back injury after being fouled on a three-point attempt. Her arrival in the league in 2024 coincided with significant growth in WNBA viewership, attendance, digital consumption, and merchandise sales, contributing to its most-watched regular season in 24 years and highest attendance in 22 years. Prior to her entry, the league had not achieved seven-figure viewership for a regular-season game since 2008. A game on June 16 against the Washington Mystics averaged 1 million viewers.
Social media commentary reflected frustration with the perceived treatment of Clark, with one user on X stating, "Clark brought in a significant number of viewers and substantial financial resources when she joined the league, and all they are doing now is trying to hurt her, which is killing the golden goose. This league is nothing more than prison ball."