Caitlin Clark fell to the floor, and Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas landed on top of her, with videos appearing to show Thomas’ closed fist on the Fever star’s throat. To viewers watching the game on June 24, it looked like a clear flagrant foul that the officials missed, and one that the WNBA also hesitated to address after the game. Clark injured her back on the play, fueling concerns that the former Iowa star has repeatedly been on the receiving end of overly physical play in the WNBA. Now, a congressman from Iowa, where Clark first rose to prominence in the NCAA, has weighed in with a fiery defense of her.
“Caitlin has done so incredibly well for just bringing girls’ sports to a whole other level. Millions of new viewers are now watching the WNBA and what it means, including my five kiddos. But when we see what Caitlin has done at Dowling, what she’s done at the University of Iowa, and where she is now with the Fever, billions of dollars are coming into the WNBA,” Congressman Zach Nunn said in a video posted on X.
“And yet the WNBA’s commissioner has continued to turn their back on the players. Caitlin at the front of this. She’s been hip-checked, violently fouled, gouged in the eye, and punched in the throat.”
Nunn called on Iowans to “rally” around Clark and push the league to change the way she is treated on the hardwood. The stats also suggest the congressman has reason to be concerned. According to data compiled earlier this month, Clark has suffered nine flagrant fouls in just 72 WNBA games, the second-most by any player since 2016. She only made her WNBA debut in 2024.
“Out of the fouls that have been called against her, she now ranks as not only one of the top scorers in the WNBA, but also one of the people who have been fouled. And as a result of this, this should be something that we as Iowans rally around a hometown hero,” he continued.
Images appearing to show Thomas’ alleged fist on Clark’s throat generated significant controversy in recent weeks. Eleven Republican lawmakers eventually had enough. Led by Texas Representative August Pfluger, they sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, urging the league to better protect one of its most exciting players. They gave her until July 24 to respond with a plan of action.
The controversy, however, was amplified by reports that Engelbert was not initially planning to suspend or fine Thomas. Some rumors even suggested that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver intervened to force a one-game suspension and a $1,000 fine for the Mercury player, something the WNBA has denied. Regardless, the spotlight is now on Engelbert and the league to show what measures they’ll take in the coming weeks.
Indiana’s style of play relies heavily on Clark to put points on the board. It’s only natural that she draws a lot of fouls from opposing teams. However, it’s the nature of those fouls that has become a point of contention among fans. In 2024, 17% of the league’s total flagrant fouls were committed against Clark.
Despite all that, Clark remains one of the frontrunners in the MVP race this season, averaging 20.1 points, 7.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game. She has also been named a starter for the upcoming All-Star Game. On July 12, 2026, during a dominant 109-75 win over the Las Vegas Aces, Clark recorded her 600th career assist in just 72 games. She broke the previous WNBA record of 81 games, held by Ticha Penicheiro.
Earlier this season, she surpassed the 500-assist mark in just 59 games, breaking the record previously held by Hall of Fame point guard Sue Bird. There is no denying that she remains one of the league’s biggest attractions, and the WNBA has benefited immensely from it.
The Caitlin Clark Effect Is Only Growing With Time
Several underlying metrics echo what Congressman Zach Nunn has said about Clark. She’s one of the best players in the league, yes. But what sets her apart from many of today’s other stars is just how quickly she rose to stardom. Clark was already a household name in American basketball before even making it to the WNBA.
And when ESPN broadcast her being selected No. 1 overall by Indiana in 2024, more than 2.4 million viewers tuned in, setting a record for the league.
Indiana is the only team in the WNBA to have all 44 of its regular-season games televised nationally. Clark’s return from a minor back injury against the Los Angeles Sparks on July 8 averaged 1.04 million viewers across USA Network and CNBC. It became the most-watched late-night regular-season game in WNBA history. Even Indiana’s road games continue to sell out, prompting fans to chant, “Every game is a home game.”
Clark’s signature shoe with Nike, the Nike Caitlin 1, is officially set to release on Oct. 1, 2026, for a retail price of $140, and fans are already eagerly awaiting its launch.
Whether the WNBA changes its approach remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Clark’s impact on the league keeps growing. As her popularity continues to rise, so will the pressure on the WNBA to protect its biggest star.