Paige Spiranac has voiced her support for Caitlin Clark following a contentious foul that sent the Indiana Fever star crashing to the court.
During a tense game against the Chicago Sky, guard Chennedy Carter blindsided Clark with a hip-check as she waited for an inbounds pass late in the third quarter.
The incident has sparked significant attention and discussion among fans and players alike.
Spiranac took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her disapproval of the foul and highlight Clark‘s impact on the sport.
“Imagine bringing millions of new fans to the game which in turn will make every player more money and yet they treat you like this,” Spiranac wrote. “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
The game, which ended in a narrow 71-70 victory for the Fever, saw Clark, 22, address the incident during an interview with ESPN.
Imagine bringing millions of new fans to the game which in turn will make every player more money and yet they treat you like this. A rising tide lifts all boats. pic.twitter.com/UkrO7uMFnF
— Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) June 1, 2024
“Yeah, that’s just not a basketball play,” Clark said. “But you know, I’ve gotta play through it, that’s what basketball is about at this level.
“I thought we’ve been really physical, we’ve missed some bunnies around the rim, so hopefully, those fall in the fourth.”
No comment from Carter
Despite the altercation, Carter, who scored a game-high 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting, refused to comment on the foul during the postgame press conference, stating, “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions.”
Notably, Sky rookie Angel Reese, a former LSU star, showed her support for Carter’s play by standing up and applauding from the bench.
Clark‘s performance in the game included 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Her presence has significantly boosted the WNBA’s visibility, following a stellar college career at Iowa that saw record-breaking TV ratings for women’s basketball.
Clark‘s increased visibility has seemingly made her a target for rougher play. Reflecting on her experiences, she mentioned feeling targeted after a recent loss to the Storm, where she had a confrontation with Victoria Vivians following a shove.
“I feel like I’m getting hammered, I don’t know,” Clark commented.
The Fever are set to play the Liberty in Brooklyn on Sunday night, where fans will be watching closely to see how Clark and her team respond after these heated incidents.