Caitlin Clark Sounds Off After Another Hard Hit: 'It's Ridiculous'
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark took another hard hit on Wednesday against the Golden State Valkyries, and she didn't hold back her frustration afterward. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star suffered a leg contusion during an 88-75 loss, with no foul called on the play.
Clark, the NCAA's all-time scoring leader and No. 1 pick in 2024, was driving for a layup when she took contact from Valkyries center Kiah Stokes. She hit the court hard, but the referees let the play continue.
'The ref can't miss that'
'The ref can't miss that,' Clark told reporters after the game. 'Then I have to play with a contusion in my leg the rest of the game. It's ridiculous. [The ref] said I initiated the contact. Which is fine, but you can't knee me in the leg. Knock me over.'
Clark finished the game with 13 points on 4-14 shooting and 1-8 from three-point range in 26 minutes. She added three rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block.
A pattern of hard contact
This is not the first time Clark has been on the receiving end of physical play. The worst incident came on June 24 against the Phoenix Mercury when she was kneed in the throat by Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. That play also drew no foul call.
Fever head coach Stephanie White voiced her frustration after Wednesday's game as well.
'They said Caitlin initiated the contact. That's all they said. She seems to always be initiating the contact,' White told reporters. 'I'm trying to not get fined. Again, all I'll say is that we just keep asking for consistency.'
Clark's welcome to the WNBA has been marked by hard hits since her debut in 2024. She has taken a forearm and an elbow to the face, ruptured an eardrum, been knocked to the court, and suffered an eye poke. An eye poke on June 17, 2025, sparked a skirmish as Fever guard Sophie Cunningham came to her aid.
Injury history and recovery
Clark has missed six games this season due to injury. Her 2025 season was cut short by quad and groin injuries. Despite the latest setback, she downplayed the severity of the leg contusion.
'Ah, we'll just rub it out,' Clark said. 'Good old knuckles on it and call it a day.'
The Fever play again on Friday against the Seattle Storm and on Saturday against the New York Liberty. Indiana fell to 14-10 with the loss, tied with the Atlanta Dream for first in the Eastern Conference.
Valkyries earn Clark's respect
Despite her frustration with the no-call, Clark acknowledged the toughness of the Valkyries, who hold an 18-7 record this season.
'They're in my grill,' Clark said. 'They're probably the best defensive team in the league. They're really good at that. I thought I finally played with a little more pace and a little bit more burst, especially down the stretch in the fourth.'
The Fever made a run to the WNBA Finals last year without Clark, but they can ill afford for her to miss time down the stretch this season.
Frequently asked questions
What injury did Caitlin Clark suffer against the Valkyries?
Clark suffered a leg contusion after taking a knee from Valkyries center Kiah Stokes on a layup attempt. No foul was called on the play.
How many games has Caitlin Clark missed this season?
Clark has missed six games due to injury this season. Her 2025 season was also cut short by quad and groin injuries.
What is the Fever's record after the loss?
The Fever fell to 14-10 with the loss, tied with the Atlanta Dream for first in the Eastern Conference.