After the disastrous Sun vs Fever game, which featured the Jacy Sheldon-Caitlin 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 many times throughout the season, but this time was different… It’s always different when Caitlin Clark is involved! When she entered the league, legends and analysts alike thought that Clark wouldn’t do as well at the highest level, but that was until defensive systems had no answer for her playmaking. And that’s how they slowly began searching for a sign of weakness.

Physicality. That’s what the Sun used against her. In fact, last week, even the Valkyries’ head coach, Natalie Nakase, spoke about the guard and outlined how she doesn’t like playing physical. Their game plan was to be disruptive, force her to left back-step, and they were successful in doing so. Clark’s ability was limited as she contributed nine assists and seven rebounds, but struggled with shooting, which led to her team’s loss.

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. However, Las Vegas Aces HC Becky Hammon has a rather unique perspective on Caitlin Clark ahead of the Fever vs Aces matchup on Sunday. What did she say?

In a conversation with the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Thursday, the HC shared, “She’s a beast … and she’s just going to continue to keep getting better… 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.”

Well, the Indiana Fever sophomore guard is known for her thirty-foot range, her fearless facilitation, and a whole lot of heart. 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. But of course, Fever versus Sun was difficult to ignore.

Hammon went on to address the faulty officiating of the league, which many coaches, including Fever HC Stephanie White, have done so. “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 quickly!

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 to physicality amidst all the growing hubbub. 

Stephanie White clarifies her stance on physicality after the 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! HC Stephanie White shared her thoughts: “As a coach and as a player, you’re going to play as physical as you’re allowed to play… 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, think hand checking, grabbing, and swiping, has not slowed down at all, but 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.