“I think we can play better defense,”  Caitlin Clark said after the third quarter while leading by 9 against the New York Liberty, citing this situation as similar to when they met them last time. The Fever had 8 points separate them and the Liberty in the last matchup till the fourth quarter. Till the last quarter, New York had failed to stop Clark as she made her signature long-range shots and over-the-top passes. 

The only way to slow Clark down at times seemed to be through physical play. As Kelsey Mitchell worked to create space for her, Natasha Cloud stepped in to contest and ended up accidentally hitting Clark in the face, sending her to the floor. ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo, while describing the sequence, made a point to clarify the nature of the foul. 

With a slight chuckle, she commented, “No jealousy there, just a basketball foul, just a basketball foul,” directly addressing the ongoing narrative that some WNBA veterans have been overly physical with Clark out of resentment. Lobo’s remark helped frame the incident as a tough but routine play, not one fueled by any personal animosity.

This narrative initially started before last season with Diana Taurasi. And Sue Bird, her partner on the podcast, admitted that. She referred to when SVP asked what the WNBA will have in store when Clark (who was then still an Iowa Hawkeye) arrives, and Taurasi said, “Look SVP… reality is coming. There are levels to this thing… You look superhuman playing against 18-year-olds but you’re gonna come [play] with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”

While it was not directly connected to where things are now, the narrative gained momentum and spiraled largely due to reactions online, driven by both fans and bots. Several physical plays involving Clark added fuel to the discussion, including Chennedy Carter’s flagrant foul. Another moment came when DiJonai Carrington hit Clark in the eye, which appeared intentional to some, although Carrington later stated it was accidental. Even Breanna Stewart gave a big hit to Clark when she was a rookie. 

Clark’s overwhelming popularity played a major role in how the situation was perceived. Even in her rookie season, she became more recognizable than many long-established WNBA veterans. She led in merchandise sales, drew the highest television ratings, and brought record crowds to arenas. Fans began to link her rapid rise with the physical treatment she received on the court, assuming it was rooted in resentment. 

Lobo denied the same narratives last year when she claimed that everyone is treated the way Clark was. “It’s a false narrative,” Lobo said on ESPN,“I don’t think there’s any jealousy or pettiness that is fueling dirty play.” She further said. “Are veterans being physical with her? They are. But I have not seen anything excessive or anything dirty until that Chennedy Carter hit,” 

Overall, Caitlin Clark was fouled more frequently than the average rookie, averaging 4.5 personal fouls drawn per game, which was higher than any rookie in the WNBA last season. Seventeen percent of all flagrant fouls committed in the league were against her, with the Chicago Sky responsible for 80 percent of those. In comparison, this season’s most-fouled rookie, Paige Bueckers, is averaging 3.9 personal fouls drawn per game, which is significantly lower than Clark’s average. And Bueckers has also not been a recipient of a flagrant foul yet.

The conversation around Clark’s treatment has been divided. Analysts like Rebecca Lobo and Chiney Oguwumike have downplayed the idea of jealousy and described the physical play as a normal part of professional basketball. On the other hand, JJ Redick pointed out on an episode of his podcast “Mind The Game” with LeBron James that he sees a “dislike and vitriol” from older players toward Clark. James also defended Clark, saying that he’s “rooting” for her to succeed. He also compared his career to hers as someone who entered the NBA in 2003 with a ton of expectations.

Charles Barkley also expressed the belief that some veterans are indeed jealous of the attention Clark has received. Based purely on the numbers, it is clear that Clark experienced an especially rough introduction to the league. Whether that was driven by resentment or simply tough competition remains uncertain.

Caitlin Clark breaks Candace Parker’s record 

As the social media narratives continue to grow, Clark remains undeterred. She does her thing on the court and does not feed into anything. She was back after 5 5-game long hiatus because of her quad injury and at it once again. Clark had almost half of her team’s points at the half, scoring 25 out of the team’s 53. The Fever beat the Liberty 102-88, handing them their first loss. 

She was shooting logo threes and making backhand passes that the best defensive team in the league was unable to crack. Clark finished with the statline of 32 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, along with 1 steal and 2 blocks, almost getting her second triple-double of the season. Clark shot 11-20 from the field and 7-14 from the three-point line. She did have 7 turnovers, which she will look back and improve on, but it’s forgiven on the day she beat the champions. With that statline, she now has the most 30/5/5 games in a player’s first two seasons with 3. Clark went past the legend Parker, who had 2 and no other player had even one in their first two seasons, showcasing the legend that Clark and Parker are. 

Clark met with Parker recently and shared an emotional moment. Parker was not only gracious with the young players but also publicly voiced her support for Caitlin Clark and will be the happiest learning that Clark has gone past her in some aspect. “Comparing Clark to Reese is like comparing apples to oranges,” Parker said. “Clark makes her team better, and that’s what really matters.”

Clark’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc, combined with strong contributions from Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull, also helped the Fever set a new franchise record with 17 made three-pointers in a single game. Clark led the way with 7 triples, while Hull and Mitchell added 3 each. Sydney Colson chipped in with 3, and Sophie Cunningham added 2 more, rounding out a historic night from long range for Indiana.

With a dominant performance against an unbeaten opponent, the Fever have firmly put themselves back on track, evening their record at 0.500. This win not only boosts their confidence but also sends a message that they are capable of competing with the league’s best. As they look ahead, the goal will be to maintain this momentum, string together consistent victories, and work their way toward a strong position near the top of the standings.