Indiana Fever Coach Responds to Concerns Over Caitlin Clark’s Treatment

In Phoenix, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White was hesitant to engage with a recent letter addressed to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, sent by 11 Republican lawmakers concerned about Caitlin Clark’s treatment on the court. The letter highlighted issues of “physical hostility” and “violence,” suggesting these might be racially motivated.

When asked about it prior to Thursday night’s game, White directed attention to a team statement released the previous day. “Our team released a statement yesterday, so you can find that statement,” she replied.

The Fever’s statement clarified, “Neither our organization nor Caitlin has any interaction with anyone in this parliamentary group and were unaware of their letter.” It emphasized their commitment to player safety without directly addressing whether race influenced Clark’s experiences.

This approach seems to suggest that while they care about player safety, they’re avoiding the nuances of how race might play into the treatment of one of their star players. Clark, indeed a major figure in the league, has faced significant physical challenges during games, which the letter claims go beyond normal play. Instances such as Clark being struck in the throat and poked in the eye—events described as unacceptable—were highlighted.

Despite playing 16 minutes against the Los Angeles Sparks and feeling well afterward, Clark was ruled out of the game against Phoenix due to a fever. White didn’t indicate if this decision was related to the Mercury, only mentioning that Clark and teammate Aliyah Boston would alternate in back-to-back games.

The last encounter between the Fever and the Mercury was particularly contentious, with a noteworthy incident involving Alyssa Thomas striking Clark in the throat. Although no foul was called on the floor, the league later issued a flagrant foul against Thomas, resulting in a suspension following a review.

Fans had hoped for a rematch between these teams. The previous game had already created viral moments, like the finger-pointing meme involving Sophie Cunningham. Sadly, Cunningham played in the latest matchup while Clark did not. Perhaps the Fever genuinely prioritize player safety, recognizing the need to protect her from teams that have given her “a couple of cheap shots,” as noted by White. Yet, wouldn’t it be ideal if the league could just eliminate those cheap shots entirely? That would be a step in the right direction.