Adam Silver: Caitlin Clark Foul Was a ‘Welcome to the League’ Moment in WNBA

zach bacharContributor IJune 7, 2024

Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NBA commissioner Adam Silver gave his thoughts on the physical play that Caitlin Clark has experienced at the start of her WNBA career with the Indiana Fever.

“It’s nothing new in basketball, that there are welcome to the league moments,” Silver told reporters on Thursday. “Especially for heralded rookies. But of course, I want to see Caitlin treated fairly and appropriately in the league. It seems like she can take care of herself, she’s a tough player.”

Shane Young @YoungNBAAdam Silver was asked about Caitlin Clark and the rising popularity of the WNBA pic.twitter.com/ys9BikRQLP

One of the early bumps in the road that Clark has dealt with was a foul from Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter during a Fever victory, which was later upgraded to a flagrant foul.

After Indiana’s win over Chicago, Fever head coach Christie Sides called the officiating surrounding Clark “unacceptable” on social media.

Christie Sides @ChristieSidesThis is unacceptable @wnba
When will the consistent complaints be heard?!? Something has to be done! https://t.co/QVf1vHA5l4

“This league is awesome, it’s a physical league,” Sides later explained, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. “That was a non-basketball play that needed to be called in that moment.”

As for Clark, she expressed her intent to remain level-headed in physical situations on the court.

“It is what it is,” she said, via Philippou. “I feel like I’m just at the point where you accept it and don’t retaliate.”

“I’m trying not to let it bother me,” she added.

While Clark has struggled with her long-range efficiency, the former Iowa standout has still put together several impressive performances throughout her brief WNBA career. Through 11 appearances, she’s averaging 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. The former No. 1 overall pick was also named the WNBA Rookie of the Month in May.

Silver explained that Clark’s promising on-court play “may be lost on some people who are new to basketball” due to the flagrant foul from Carter as well as the ensuing narrative.

With the controversy surrounding the foul seemingly in the rearview mirror, the 22-year-old will attempt to help the Fever bounce back from a 2-9 start to the 2024 season. Indiana’s next chance to secure a win comes against the Washington Mystics on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.