WNBA News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shows frustration, Thursday, May 16, 2024, during the Indiana Fever home opener game against the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

'That’s Unacceptable, Refs Got It Wrong': Caitlin Clark’s Physical Treatment That Goes Unnoticed Gets Christie Brennan Calling Out Officials

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 1:29 PM ET

Veteran sportswriter Christie Brennan didn’t hold back when she addressed the WNBA’s inconsistent calls. She’s pointing the finger at how Caitlin Clark has been treated on court.

“The way [Englebert] has trouble talking about Caitlin Clark, or if she’s asked about Caitlin, she’ll say Caitlin and Angel. Well, she wasn’t asked about Angel. You know, she was asked about Caitlin. This incredible inability to deal with the facts and state the obvious, it is astounding to me,” Brennan said on the CBS Sports podcast.

Brennan’s comments come after multiple on‑court incidents involving Caitlin Clark. The latest flare‑up saw Clark poked in the eye by Jacy Sheldon and shoved to the floor by Marina Mabrey during a June game against Connecticut, none of which drew proper foul calls.

Fever coach Stephanie White has echoed those concerns by repeatedly calling out “bad officiating” and warning that unchecked physicality is becoming a problem. After that game, White said, “The officials have got to be held accountable”.

And this criticism isn’t coming out of thin air. The WNBA’s officiating woes have been a front‑page issue: inconsistency, missed calls, and part‑time refs working NCAA gigs are driving player frustration.

Caitlin Clark has been dealing with veteran-level aggression even in her rookie year. When the whistles don’t match the contact, it sends a message that Clark isn’t fully protected.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) claps Thursday, July 3, 2025, during team introductions at a game between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

League office scapegoats aren’t enough. As Brennan points out, even WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert struggles to acknowledge the elephant in the room. And until the calls tighten up, Caitlin Clark might take more hits than headlines.

Fever Veteran Brittney Griner Backs Caitlin Clark Over Officiating Snubs

Veteran center Brittney Griner has publicly rallied behind Caitlin Clark, waving a flag on the mounting officiating issue that’s trailed the rookie sensation all season.

“When the refs lose control of the ball game, it makes it harder on the players like Caitlin Clark,” Griner told The Washington Post. “She’s being guarded harder now, and without consistent calls, it just adds pressure on her.”

Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) against Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) during a WNBA game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Griner’s insight hits home. She’s been on the receiving end of brutal physical play herself and knows how quickly uncalled fouls can snowball into bigger problems. And for Caitlin Clark, facing that fire without the support of whistles becomes a tougher hill to climb. 

Could a tweak in how physicality is policed flip the narrative? If Caitlin Clark’s star shines in arenas and under calls that match her talent, playoff battles and title hopes might start leaning her way. For now, Griner’s support keeps the spotlight on fairness.

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

More must-reads: