WNBA News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

WNBA star Caitlin Clark and NBA legend Michael Jordan. Photo credits: Imagn

'When You So Good, You Gonna Get Targeted': Caitlin Clark Getting Targeted In The WNBA Gets Non-Racial Approach & Michael Jordan Similarity From Former NBA Champion

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 8:03 AM ET

Caitlin Clark has become one of the biggest talks of the sports world since arriving at the WNBA in 2024. However, at the cost of the Indiana Fever star’s popularity, opponents are fiercely testing her if she could reach new heights, with a recent one being the notorious incident against the Connecticut Sun, which NBA icon Paul Pierce weighed in on recently.

Speaking on Thursday’s episode of “The Ticket and the Truth” podcast, Pierce compared Clark’s experience to Michael Jordan , who experienced physical play during his early years as a rising superstar. In reference, Jordan was brutally targeted by the Detroit Pistons, dubbed the “Bad Boys,” who aimed at stopping Jordan’s momentum through their game plan called the “Jordan Rules,” which worked on crucial occasions, primarily stopping the Bulls on their playoff clashes in the late 80s.

“She gets targeted. It’s like Jordan got targeted. You’re the best player. The Jordan Rules, they had the Jordan Rules. When you so good, yeah, you gonna get targeted. It just is what it is. When you at a disadvantage… just like boxing or something,” Pierce said.

Moreover, Pierce advised Caitlin Clark to be tougher on the court.

“If I’m fighting against the best, you gotta do something and junk it up. I gotta hold a little bit more. I gotta elbow. I gotta go out. I gotta take you out of your element. Make it uncomfortable,” Pierce added.

The Caitlin Clark-Jordan comparisons shed light after the Indiana Fever superstar guard got poked in the eye by Connecticut’s Jacy Sheldon and then blindsided to the court by Marina Mabrey. The incident even blew up when all players, involving Clark, got assessed with heavy fouls, which, for many, should’ve been just limited to the Suns since they allegedly started the incident. At the same time, Clark had always been targeted for the whole season.

Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (3) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark’s teammate makes feelings clear in defending her

Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin Clark’s teammate, never held back in defending the former Iowa standout during her heated incident with the Suns roster. Seconds left in the match, Cunningham brutally stopped Sheldon from making a fastbreak, causing another brawl that led to the former getting ejected from the game.

After the Fever’s Sunday team practice, Cunningham revealed her intentions on her incident as a way to pay back for her teammate.

“It was a buildup for a couple of years now of them just not protecting the star player of the WNBA. And so at the end of the day, I’m gonna protect my teammates. That’s what I do. And I’m a team player,” Cunningham said.

LOOK: Sophie Cunningham Gets Security Guard Hand Below Waist Level During Fever-Sun Altercation, Sparking Online Frenzy 2 Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) and Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) get into a fight in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Despite Cunningham’s actions dividing some of the WNBA fanbase, her statement made it clear that she’ll be loyal to Caitlin Clark and the Fever at all costs.

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

More must-reads: