In news that will surprise no one, Caitlin Clark was fouled by an opposing player but the referee did nothing.
This time, the scene played out at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the lowly Mystics were once again getting thrashed by Kaitlyn Clark and the Fever, but this time Mystics center Stephanie Dolson decided to give Clark a pat down.
As Clark drove to the basket, the 6-foot-5 Dolson slammed her in what was a clear foul.
Is this not a foul on Caitlin Clark?#WNBA #Fever rising pic.twitter.com/gaLzw5OzMv
— Ashwin (@Sudharsan_ak) June 20, 2024
Dolson clearly committed a foul here, yet the ref inexplicably did nothing. Ironically, this came after Angel Reese accused Clark of a “special whistle” after last weekend’s game, suggesting the refs were giving Clark special favours.
So where is that special whistle now?
It’s no secret that WNBA players and executives were not yet prepared for the attention that Kaitlyn Clark brought to the league, but it seems the league’s referees were not prepared for that attention either.
Point X users were scathing about that in their reactions to the video.
There’s no doubt that Kaitlyn was hacked by Dolson on this play, but I don’t know why the umpire missed it.
All Dolson gained from that play was arm strength.
They really let me play for the W.
— just1n (@just1nvest) June 20, 2024
@WNBA The umpires are worse than Little League recreational ball.
— Christopher the Warrior (@TheChrisMoreno) June 20, 2024
Wait. Didn’t the Mystic girl get a foul? Didn’t Kaitlyn go to the free throw line? No way.
— Jerod Jones (@jones_jerod) June 20, 2024
Announcer: It’s a contact sport. It’s literally just your arms…
— CJ (@stingrae1) June 20, 2024
The only positive is that, unlike the egregious foul Angel Reese committed on Clark on Sunday, this foul was actually a “basketball play.” There was nothing malicious about Dolson’s actions. It was a classic desperation foul that is committed when the opponent is on the verge of scoring. The main controversy is the fact that this foul was not called.
The Fever got a win, and that’s all that matters to them. Indiana beat Washington, 88-81, for their sixth win of the season and second in a row.
