Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball in the first half against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

'Reminds Me Of Jordan': Caitlin Clark Attracting Physical Play In WNBA Reminiscent Of Michael Jordan Battling The Detroit Bad Boys, Says Daniel Negreanu

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 10:32 AM ET

Caitlin Clark just powered through one of the most intense games of her young WNBA career, leading the Indiana Fever to an 88–71 win over the Connecticut Sun—and straight into the Commissioner’s Cup Final.

But it wasn’t just the scoreboard that made headlines. Tuesday night’s game got physical—tempers flared, bodies hit the floor, and Clark found herself right in the middle of it all.

Early in the game, Clark got into it with Jacy Sheldon and Marina Mabrey. No whistles, just a warning and a wave-off from the refs. But things escalated in the third quarter when Sheldon poked Clark in the eye. That was the tipping point. Clark confronted her longtime Big Ten rival, and before you knew it, Mabrey stormed in and shoved Clark hard to the ground.

The refs finally stepped in. Sheldon was assessed a Flagrant 1, while Clark, Mabrey, and veteran Tina Charles were each handed technical fouls. Still, the Fever kept their cool and came out with the win—and that’s when the outside praise started rolling in.

Six-time World Series of Poker champ Daniel Negreanu took to X (formerly Twitter) after the game to show his admiration for how Clark handled the chaos.

“This @CaitlinClark22 is tough as nails,” Negreanu wrote. “Reminds me of Jordan getting hammered by the Bad Boy Pistons. Having said that, it’s truly astonishing how much disrespect she is shown game in and game out from those that should be thankful she has helped get eyeballs on the sport.”

Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball while Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Negreanu—who’s earned over $54 million in his poker career—isn’t the only one calling out the league. With the physicality around Clark ramping up, fans and analysts alike are demanding more protection for the Fever star.

“This Is a Bad Look for the Sport”: Chris Evert Slams WNBA Over Caitlin Clark’s Treatment

Tennis legend Chris Evert also chimed in, slamming both the treatment Caitlin Clark is receiving and the league’s lack of action.

“When will these ladies realize, accept and appreciate @CaitlinClark22 is the best thing that ever happened to women’s basketball?” Evert posted. “This is a bad look for the sport and what’s happened to sportsmanship?”

Jun 14, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates a made basket in the first half against the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Despite it all, Caitlin Clark finished with 20 points, four threes, six assists, and two steals. The Fever now shifts focus to July 1, where they’ll take on the Minnesota Lynx for the Commissioner’s Cup title—battle-tested and ready.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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