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WNBA Referees Under Fire Over Treatment Against Caitlin Clark’s Fever

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated May 4, 2025 5:32 PM ET

In a highly anticipated preseason exhibition on Sunday, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark dazzled on her home‑state stage, pouring in 13 points and recording five rebounds, and two assists in the first half, leading to a dominant 70-24 lead at the break.

Yet the headlines belong to the referees, as fans and analysts decried a series of non‑calls on hard fouls against Clark and her teammates, igniting an online firestorm.

Clark, the 2024 Rookie of the Year and All‑WNBA First Team honoree, has already rewritten record books, from NCAA all‑time scoring leader to WNBA assist champion.

But in Sunday's game, she was met with heavy contact that didn't draw foul calls, which circulated within minutes on social media.

One fan said, "Groundhog Day. Another season, more (expletive) officiating," to which another commenter replied, "And here I was hopeful they’d clean it up even a bit this year. Nope."

Another fan called out the league directly, saying, "@WNBA you gonna make your refs accountable for all the onside calls this yr or just let them be dumb [expletive] as usual."

Similarly, one user replied, "The WNBA refs here just used the "No autopsy, no foul" philosophy after a player hit the deck."

Another commenter said, "@WNBA is cool but I already saw Caitlin Clark and fall to the court as zebras ignored her then Cunningham shot a 3 and feel for the foul. That must be some new WNBA ish. Can’t go far looking like the men; that’s why I respect the women’s play. Why start that?"

Even The Athletic's Scott Dochterman chimed in, saying, "WNBA officiating ... eeeeeeekkkkk Brazil's No. 21 ran into and blindsided Lexi Hull, knocking her to the floor at the top of the key. It's easily a 15-yard blindside block at any level of football. But no call here."

The WNBA spotlight on Clark shows no signs of dimming, and neither will the debate over how best to protect its brightest star.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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