Caitlin Clark on hard fouls early in WNBA career: ‘I’m trying not to let it bother me’

The Indiana Fever rookie has been fouled the third-most in the league.

Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has drawn plenty of early attention — particularly TV viewers and ticket buyers — this WNBA season. She also seems to have caught the attention of her fellow players.

The hard foul over the weekend by Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter brought renewed attention on the 2024 WNBA No. 1 draft pick and how others around the league are focusing their efforts on stopping her.

With nearly one-third of the WNBA season done, Clark has been fouled 46 times, the third-most in the league. None was more impactful than Saturday’s when Carter leveled the Fever guard with a shoulder block in the third quarter. The play was deemed a common foul during the game but later upgraded to a flagrant-1 violation Sunday.

Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon called out her player on Monday for the “not appropriate” foul on Clark.

Weatherspoon, a Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the sport’s most respected figures, said she’s made it clear to Carter that her foul — which sent the heralded rookie to the floor — can’t be repeated.

“Physical play, intensity, and a competitive spirit are hallmarks of Chicago Sky basketball,” Weatherspoon said in a statement. “Chennedy got caught up in the heat of the moment in an effort to win the game. She and I have discussed what happened and that it was not appropriate, nor is it what we do or who we are.”

Weatherspoon, a tenacious defender in her playing days and an original member of the New York Liberty, said the messages got through to Carter.

Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter (7) is whistled for a flagrant foul for knocking Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) to the ground at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on June 1, 2024. Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire / AP

“Chennedy understands that there are better ways to handle situations on the court, and she will learn from this, as we all will,” Weatherspoon said. “As a team, we will grow together and continue to work hard to display strong leadership and set a positive example for our competitors, fans, and partners.”

Clark tried to downplay Saturday’s shoulder blow.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” she nonchalantly told reporters when asked about the confrontation with Carter. “But I think it’s … just respond, come down, let the play do the talking. It is what it is. It’s a physical game, go make the free throw and then execute on offense.”