Chicago Sky already the ‘dirtiest’ team with Caitin Clark, but even with fouls they can’t stop her
Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s standout rookie, has faced relentless targeting with flagrant fouls throughout her debut WNBA season. However, the Chicago Sky’s persistent attempts to disrupt her game proved futile as Clark once again rose above the pettiness, leading the Fever to a commanding 100-81 victory over Angel Reese and her team on Friday, August 30.
In this latest clash between the Fever and the Sky, the 22-year-old former Iowa Hawkeyes star endured two more flagrant fouls, continuing a troubling trend. Despite Teresa Weatherspoon’s team seemingly viewing this tactic as a viable strategy, Clark’s resilience and talent shone through, further cementing her status as a rising star in the league.
**Caitlin Clark Shines in Fever’s Victory, Despite Rough Treatment from Sky**
Caitlin Clark, the star rookie of the Indiana Fever, once again captivated a packed house of Fever fans, signing autographs and celebrating a hard-fought victory after an intense game against the Chicago Sky. Despite facing relentless and dangerous plays from her opponents, Clark’s resilience and talent were on full display.
The first notable foul came in the third quarter when Michaela Onyenwere recklessly closed out on Clark, failing to allow her a safe landing after attempting a three-pointer. Clark crashed hard onto her back while Onyenwere walked away without concern. The tension escalated in the fourth quarter when Diamond DeShields charged Clark from behind during a transition, sending her to the floor. These fouls contributed to the Sky’s tally of four flagrant fouls against Clark this season—remarkably, 80% of all flagrant fouls she has endured in her debut WNBA season.
According to acrossthetimeline.com, fouls by the Chicago Sky alone account for 13.8% of all flagrant fouls in the league, raising serious questions about the team’s tactics and the league’s oversight.
Despite these challenges, Clark continues to silence her critics with her performance on the court. In the August 30 matchup against the Sky, she delivered a stellar 31 points, 12 assists, and 4 rebounds, leading the Fever to a commanding 100-81 victory. This win brought the Fever’s season record to an even 16-16, boosting their playoff hopes.
Clark has now scored 18 points or more in every game since July 15, amassing 168 points in her last seven games and averaging 24 points per game. Her impressive run shows that she’s hitting her stride and proving herself as one of the league’s rising stars, despite the physical toll exacted by her opponents.