One of the most controversial incidents in the game, of course, involved Clark. This was after the rookie sensation got hit across the face by a wayward arm from Las Vegas star Jackie Young. The Fever guard immediately hit the deck and it looked like she was writhing in pain for a few seconds before she was able to get up.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark kneels down in frustration during a game.
The replays showed, however, that Clark hit Young in the face first, which also appeared to be inadvertent. The referees reviewed the play and ultimately decided to call a common foul on Young.
Caitlin Clark got fouled on this box out from Jackie Young. #WNBA #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/GdziNP72k7
— Ashwin (@Sudharsan_ak) September 12, 2024
It did not look like either player had any intention of hurting the other, but there’s no denying that both Clark and Young took painful hits here. The players and the coaching staff both reacted, too, and so did the fans, which resulted in a pretty intense moment.
Unsurprisingly, the incident quickly went viral on social media. Clark, in particular, has been taking heat from some WNBA fans who believe her actions were questionable, to say the least.
“Caitlin Clark misses layup, then hits Jackie Young in the face. Her usual antics. The refs review it and keep it a foul on Jackie.
“Caitlin Clark then pleads with the refs to give Jackie Young a flagrant 1, when clearly Caitlin makes contact with Jackie’s face first,” read a comment on X, formerly Twitter.
Caitlin Clark misses layup, then hits Jackie Young in the face. Her usual antics.
The refs review it and keep it a foul on Jackie.
Caitlin Clark then pleads with the refs to give Jackie Young a flagrant 1, when clearly Caitlin makes contact with Jackie’s face first.
pic.twitter.com/jXczVmBju5— HoopHer (@HoopHerSpeaks) September 12, 2024
“The fact that she never gets any flagrant fouls and she has hit multiple players in the face now is RIDICULOUS! But this is @CathyEngelbert Agenda! This sells for her. The blatant ref cheating in this game was INSANE! But the real MVP was in the building, y’all can’t stop her!” reacted a viewer.
The fact that she never gets any flagrant fouls and she has hit multiple players in the face now is RIDICULOUS! But this is @CathyEngelbert Agenda! This sells for her. The blatant ref cheating in this game was INSANE! But the real MVP was in the building, y'all can't stop her! pic.twitter.com/uu8gHluEBm
— Tye Sports (@Tye_Sports) September 12, 2024
“She flopped like Neymar also. She hasn’t forgotten her soccer roots,” a tweet read.
She flopped like Neymar also. She hasn’t forgotten her soccer roots.
— Ty Alston (@MrTyAlston) September 12, 2024
“Spot on! She’s a poor sport,” declared another.
Spot on! She’s a poor sport
— PB&J (@koutsopothi) September 12, 2024
“Sorry! Catilin your special treatment isn’t going to work anymore!!! Teams, are making you play better to beat them against superb defense!! Against, NYL, Conn, Minn, and Las Vegas Aces. You, can’t have too many turnovers against these really good teams are your going to lose!!!” stated a Clark critic.
Sorry! Catilin your special treatment isn't going to work anymore!!! Teams, are making you play better to beat them against superb defense!! Against, NYL, Conn, Minn, and Las Vegas Aces. You, can't have too many turnovers against these really good teams are your going to lose!!!
— Brother West (@BrotherWest1) September 12, 2024
There were, of course, more than a few fans who took Clark’s side in this incident. After all, the Fever superstar does have some of the most passionate supporters in the WNBA.
Whatever the case might be, what is clear is that Caitlin Clark has become a truly polarizing figure in the league. Such is the price of fame, I guess.
