New footage from a WNBA preseason game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream ignited a firestorm, revealing what many fans and analysts call blatant targeting of Fever star Caitlin Clark. The clip, showing Atlanta’s Te-Hina Paopao grabbing Clark’s jersey with both hands during a drive, has fueled accusations of biased officiating and unfair treatment of the league’s biggest draw.

As the WNBA enters its 2025 season, the incident raises critical questions about player protection, referee accountability, and the league’s handling of its rising star. With Clark’s transformative impact undeniable—54 million viewers and a 48% attendance surge in 2024—this controversy threatens to overshadow the sport’s growth unless addressed.

The Play That Shocked Fans

The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Fever’s 81-76 preseason win over the Dream. Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, drove past Paopao, a rookie guard drafted 18th overall from South Carolina. Slow-motion footage shows Paopao, caught flat-footed, grabbing Clark’s jersey with both hands, pulling her hip to halt her drive. Clark, attempting to create space, slightly extended her left arm, a common move among guards to counter physical defense. Despite the clear defensive foul, referees called an offensive foul on Clark, stunning viewers.

The missed call was egregious. “This is some of the worst refereeing I’ve ever seen,” one analyst remarked on a viral YouTube breakdown. The footage shows Paopao’s hands on Clark’s jersey, impeding her movement, yet the refs penalized Clark for a minor arm extension that occurred after she had already cleared Paopao. Fans on X erupted, with one user writing, “Caitlin Clark still getting assaulted with no foul calls. New year, same story.” Another called it “a double jersey grab, not a hand check,” echoing widespread frustration.

A Pattern of Physicality

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Clark faced similar treatment throughout her 2024 rookie season, where 17% of league-wide flagrant fouls were committed against her. In the Dream game, she was grabbed, bumped, and held without consistent calls, drawing just one foul despite constant contact. Her preseason stats—14.5 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 52.5% field goal percentage, and 50% from three—show her ability to perform under pressure, but the physical toll is evident.

The internet’s reaction was polarized. While many decried the officiating, others blamed Clark, accusing her of pushing off. “She’s the biggest crybaby flopper in WNBA history,” one X user claimed, alleging she exaggerated contact. Yet, the footage contradicts this narrative: Paopao’s jersey grab preceded Clark’s arm extension, a standard move to counter a defender’s hold.

As one analyst noted, “Guards are allowed to swipe defenders off when they’re being bear-hugged.” The hypocrisy is stark—when veterans like Sabrina Ionescu or Kelsey Plum use similar tactics, it’s gritty; when Clark does, it’s “dirty.”

Clark’s Resilience Under Fire

Clark’s response to the incident was characteristically composed. She didn’t protest or retaliate, instead hitting a step-back three despite Paopao’s contact, finishing with 13 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes. Her mental toughness, honed during a rookie season of relentless scrutiny, shines through. “She’s not throwing tantrums; she’s letting her game talk,” a fan posted on X. Off the court, Clark’s likability—signing autographs until her hands ache and engaging warmly with fans—has made her a role model. “She’s so kind, so welcoming,” said a Midwestern fan after meeting her.

Yet, the physicality she faces raises concerns. Clark, now stronger after offseason training, is the league’s fastest guard with the ball and among the best at finishing at the rim. But constant uncalled fouls disrupt her rhythm and the Fever’s offense. Her teammates, including All-Stars Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, rely on her playmaking, and unfair officiating hampers the team’s chemistry. With veterans DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard joining the 2025 roster, the Fever aim for a deep playoff run, but Clark’s health is critical.

The WNBA’s Crossroads

The controversy exposes deeper issues. Clark’s arrival has transformed the WNBA, boosting ticket sales 145% and drawing 1.3 million viewers to a single 2024 preseason game. She’s the face of the league, with rumors of a million-dollar annual salary on the horizon. But her treatment—minimal referee protection and online vilification—suggests a league struggling to embrace its biggest star. “The WNBA is asking Caitlin to carry the ratings while refusing to give her the same whistle as other stars,” one analyst argued.

Race and bias are unavoidable factors. Clark, a white player in a predominantly Black league, faces double standards. Physical play from Black players is often praised as tough, but Clark’s responses are labeled dramatic. This echoes A’ja Wilson’s 2025 claims that Clark’s popularity is “100% about race,” a narrative that fuels resentment. The league must confront these tensions, ensuring fair treatment for all players, regardless of background. Ignoring this risks alienating the new fans Clark has brought.

The Bigger Picture

The WNBA faces a choice: protect its stars or risk losing momentum. Clark’s impact is undeniable—sold-out arenas, record TV ratings, and a 497% increase in Fever ticket sales. But if referees continue to miss blatant fouls, and narratives unfairly target her, the league could squander its growth. “Fans will stop watching if the refs don’t get this together,” one X user warned. Young players watching Clark’s treatment may hesitate to join a league that seems to punish brilliance.

Paopao, for her part, embraced the moment, saying she was “mad” Clark scored on her and wanted to “get that lick back” with her own three. Her competitive spirit is admirable, but the physicality crossed a line, and the refs’ failure to call it amplified the issue. The WNBA must train officials to recognize such fouls, especially against high-profile players like Clark, who draw intense defensive attention.

A Call for Fairness

Clark’s resilience is her strength, but she shouldn’t have to endure unchecked physicality. Post-game footage showed her working out with teammates, undeterred, even as Sophie Cunningham emerged in a boot, hinting at the physical toll of preseason play. The WNBA must act—improve officiating, address bias, and protect its stars. Clark’s not just a player; she’s a catalyst for the league’s mainstream rise.

Fans are rallying, with #100PercentClark trending on X. “Caitlin deserves respect, not targeting,” one supporter wrote. The league’s future hinges on unity, not division. By ensuring fair play for Clark and all players, the WNBA can capitalize on its 2025 momentum, with stars like Clark, Wilson, and rookie Paige Bueckers leading the charge. The footage doesn’t lie—Clark was targeted. Now, it’s time for the WNBA to step up and ensure she, and the game, are protected.