Caitlin Clark calls out referees for failing to call foul on play she says gave her a contusion
House GOP’s Katie Douglas calls on Caitlin Clark to protect
Former WNBA All-star Katie Douglas emphasizes the need for change, noting the increased physicality Clark faces and distinguishing fouls from normal contact. Her comments follow the House GOP’s call for WNBA intervention to protect the star player.
Caitlin Clark directly called out the referee for missing a call after Wednesday night’s loss.
Clark was seen shouting defiantly at the referee after his match against Golden State veteran Kiah Stokes. Clark said after the game that he “kneed a quad” and suffered a concussion.
“I kneeled on the bench, that hurts, the referee can’t miss that,” he told reporters.
STEPHANIE WHITE GIVES CAITLIN CLARK A SITUATION UPDATE AHEAD OF FEVER-SPARKS, BUT HER NEXT MOVE RAISES QUESTIONS
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts to the referee during the game against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 15, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Icon Sportswire via Brian Spurlock/Getty Images)
“And then I have to play the rest of the match with a bruise on my leg. It’s ridiculous, you can’t miss calls like that.”
Clark was seen making a quick trip to the locker room after the game as he works his way back to full strength and health following a back injury he suffered in June.
Clark was asked if he received an explanation for not making the call, and he said he was told he initiated the contact.
“You can’t knee me in the leg and take me down,” Clark said.
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White made the statement herself.
“He always seems to initiate the contact,” White said sarcastically of the decision.
Footage of Clark shouting at the referee went viral on social media, sparking controversy and opposing criticism; some fans condemned the referee for missing the call, while others questioned Clark’s behavior.
Clark finished the game with 13 points and 6 assists; He shot 4-for-14 from the field and 1-for-8 from three-point range. He scored 11 points after returning from the locker room with an injury.
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark is introduced prior to their game against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 15, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (AJ Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)
Tensions have been high in the WNBA in recent weeks after Clark was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas, and referees have not called a foul at this time.
Thomas was later suspended for one game, but the WNBA issued a statement defending her against allegations of harassment and threats she has received since Thomas punched Clark in the throat.
Clark, meanwhile, is playing, though still not fully healthy, having been on a minutes restriction for three consecutive games in his return from injury.
76ers’ orthopedic consultant Dr. Nicholas DiNubile previously told Fox News Digital that he was “concerned” about the amount of contact Clark was having with other players.
“The type of contact and the amount of contact concerns me. It bothers me,” DiNubile said.
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“I don’t think there’s anything he can do… It’s hard to protect himself with those kinds of things… And that’s why they’re flagrant fouls, right? You just… Well, there’s no way to really protect yourself in those situations… he just takes it with aplomb. I don’t think he does any of it himself.”
DiNubile’s view is that the league needs to do a better job of actively protecting Clark through referees to avoid disaster.
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“I think they should be looking for something,” he said. “They can function better… I mean, how can they miss that?”
