The WNBA’s Pandora’s box has been pried open, and we’re not sure if it can be closed again. After the disastrous Sun vs Fever game–the Sheldon-Clark fight and Sophie Cunningham’s fourth quarter controversy–everyone’s eyes are on the league’s officials. Of course, coaches have called out the referees and game officials many times throughout the season, but this time was different. It’s always different when Caitlin Clark is involved!
CC has been in the limelight ever since her Iowa days. The six-foot-tall point guard single-handedly revolutionised the Hawkeyes program, and won them 2 consecutive Final Fours. Sure, legends and analysts alike thought that Clark wouldn’t do as well at the highest level, but when she entered the league? Defensive systems had no answer for her! That is, however, until they figured out her one weakness… physicality.
Clark’s ability to hit long-range shots and make quick passes forces defenses to play tight, but sometimes that turns into bumps and grabs that push the line, leaving fans and coaches frustrated with the refs’ inconsistency.
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon had a rather unique perspective on Caitlin Clark ahead of the Fever vs Aces matchup on Sunday. “She’s a beast… and she’s just going to continue to keep getting better.” She said, in the pre-game media availability. “But she’s a player [who] you have to be physical [with]. If you just follow her around, she’s going to cook you for dinner.” And isn’t that the truth!
Becky Hammon with some high praise for Caitlin and criticism of wnba officiating pic.twitter.com/ZgMDz1qg62
— correlation (@nosyone4) June 22, 2025
The Indiana Fever sophomore guard is known for her thirty-foot range, her fearless facilitation, and a whole lot of heart. Defenses that aren’t tight and physical are child’s play for her, because her shooting and playmaking create a lot of space for the Fever to take advantage of. Her first game back from injury was the best exclamation mark possible on this point, as she dropped 32 points against the NY Liberty.
Obviously, the situation with Sheldon and Cunningham was too big to ignore for the Aces coach. Hammon went on to address the faulty officiating of the league, which many coaches including rival Stephanie White have done so in the past. “I think teammates should step in and defend Caitlin. But at the end of the day… there’s too much bumping, too much grabbing, and too much fouling that’s not being called. And people get tired of getting hit.” We’ve seen the bumping, bruising, and fouling in live action with Clark this year, and Cunningham got tired of it pretty quick!
A great example here would be the footage of Jacy Sheldon clawing at Caitlin Clark’s arm earlier in the game. Although the Sun guard was digging her nails into CC’s arm, the whistle wasn’t blown and the play was left alone. Fans, players, and coaches alike aren’t happy with the way the refs are judging calls right now, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White has come clean about her team’s approach towards physicality amidst all the growing hubbub. Let’s find out what she has to say!
Stephanie White clarifies her stance on physicality after Caitlin Clark incident
Guarding Caitlin Clark is one of the toughest assignments in the WNBA right now, and we can see why! The six-foot-tall guard is absolutely lethal offensively, both on and off the ball, and that’s always trouble for defenders. They hate to see someone who’s cutting towards the basket, getting their teammates involved, and setting up a good quality offense. As a genuine floor general, CC does it all!
Her experience isn’t new, though, stars like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson got the same rough treatment early on, but Clark’s massive college fame has made her a bigger target, putting extra pressure on refs to get calls right.
However, over the last two years, defenders have been very physical with the Indiana Fever star. And the recent Sun vs Fever controversy? It has sparked a larger discourse on how much contact is too much, and what kinds of fouls should be called. The league’s officiating has been under fire this entire season from the coaches and players alike, and rightfully so!
May 4, 2025; Iowa City, IA, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on with head coach Stephanie White during the third quarter against the Brazil National Team at Carver-Haweye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Stephanie White, the Indiana Fever head coach, made her team’s stance on physicality and playing with contact quite clear amidst all of the Sheldon-Clark controversy that is going on. “As a coach and as a player, you’re going to play as physical as you’re allowed to play.” She said in the Fever v Sun pre-game media availability, calling it the ‘reality of competition’. “And we want to be more physical on the defensive end of the floor, but physical without fouling.”
To be fair, it makes a lot of sense! The onslaught of physical defense–hand checking, grabbing, swiping–has not slowed down at all, so why not try and see how much her team can get away with? It will be interesting to see the Indiana Fever defense evolve and adapt over the coming season. Will they be able to incorporate more physicality into their defense? Only time will tell.
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