Caitlin Clark’s standout rookie moment in the WNBA wasn’t the well-known body check from Chicago’s Chennedy Carter. Instead, it was an incident during a game against the New York Liberty in May.
Clark recalled that New York’s Jonquel Jones set a screen so hard it ruptured her eardrum. “It was a really good screen by JJ. She’s an incredible player, but it shows the physicality of the league,” Clark shared in a recent interview on *60 Minutes*. Despite her July 6 triple-double, it’s this tough screen that remains a defining moment for her rookie season. “It’s a good story, something I’ll always remember,” she added.
Throughout her season, Clark faced numerous hard fouls, which some fans believe were due to rivals targeting her, the top draft pick. However, Clark has refrained from blaming anyone. Even when poked in the eye by Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington during a playoff game or being knocked down by Carter’s hip check, Clark maintained that none of the incidents were malicious.
While Clark understands that being a star player means receiving tough fouls, others, like UConn coach Geno Auriemma, feel she’s being deliberately targeted. Auriemma likened it to how greats like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson were treated when they entered the NBA, stating, “I don’t remember them getting targeted just because of their fame.”
Clark’s presence has brought a new level of attention to the WNBA. Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier expressed excitement about Clark’s influence, particularly the rise in attendance. The 2024 WNBA season saw an average of 9,807 fans per game, a significant jump from the previous year. The league hit a 22-year high in total attendance, with 2.35 million fans attending games, and teams combined for 154 sellouts compared to 45 in 2023.
Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, broke their single-season home attendance record, and three of their games drew over 20,000 fans, largely due to Clark’s star power.
