Concern is growing among WNBA fans after a postgame photo of Caitlin Clark appeared to show the Indiana Fever star with noticeable scratches and bruising on her arm.
Clark delivered one of the standout performances of her young career on Sunday, scoring 37 points and knocking down a career-best eight three-pointers as the Fever routed the Chicago Sky 113-90.
Much of the night’s off-court attention centered on former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, who was seated courtside before being ejected and later barred from the arena following a tense exchange with Natasha Cloud. Still, he was not the only familiar face in attendance.
After the final buzzer, Clark crossed paths with “Ted Lasso” actor Jason Sudeikis, posing for a photo on the court that the Fever later posted across their social media channels.
The image quickly sparked reaction, however, as fans focused on visible marks along Clark’s left arm and questioned whether the physical defense she faces from opponents is being allowed to go too far.
Clark scored 37 points against the Chicago Sky in a commanding Indiana Fever victory
Supporters noticed visible scratches on Clark’s arm in photos shared after the game
“Proof of CC Treatment,” one fan wrote in response. “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.’
