Dave Portnoy, owner of Barstool Sports, criticized WNBA officials after a no‑call involving Caitlin Clark in the Indiana Fever’s 111–109 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on June 24.

With 6:52 left in the second quarter, Caitlin Clark lost her footing in the paint. Mercury defenders Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner swarmed her, forcing a turnover. The play sparked controversy as Thomas appeared to strike Clark’s throat and collide with her body, yet the referee let it go without a foul.

Portnoy, whose massive digital platform gives his sports comments substantial weight in mainstream athletic discourse, wrote on X, "What are we even doing here? Brutal cheap shot. These women would still be flying commercial without Caitlin and this is how she is treated. Insane."

Portnoy pointed out that Caitlin Clark’s rise in popularity has been central to elevating the WNBA’s profile. He mentioned that players have been flying on full‑time charter flights since 2024, crediting Clark for making that possible.

This marks the third controversial no‑call involving Clark in 2026. She received no calls against the Chicago Sky and the Connecticut Sun before this one this season.

It was the second time that the Mercury faced the Fever at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the first game having been won by the Fever, 86-77.

However, this game also had some bad news for the Fever fans, apart from the controversial call.

Later in the third quarter, with 5:15 remaining, Clark was forced to exit the game entirely after aggravating an ongoing physical ailment.

Caitlin Clark's Back Injury Woes Return Again This Season

This isn't the first time Clark was deemed injured. She also missed a game against the Portland Fire on May 20 due to a back injury, which the Fever won 90-73.

Back then, the Fever also received a warning from the WNBA after the team reported the injury after the set reporting time of 5 p.m.

This time around, it's another back issue with her, as reported by journalist Michael Voepel from ESPN.

The Fever coach Stephanie White also commented on the injury and the Clark-Thomas incident. White felt that Clark is not called the same way other WNBA players are called.

"Absolutely disrespectful," White said as per ESPN on June 24.

"We spent all off-season looking at officiating, and I still say the one thing that we keep asking for is consistency. (Clark) is not called the same way as everybody else is called. The fist in the throat is crazy. It's crazy. It's dangerous. We've got to be careful; it's a long season. We've got to make sure that she's healthy."

It is still unclear whether Clark will miss the next game due to her injury, or for how long she will remain unfit after this game. The Fever, on the other hand, now hold a 10-8 record, as the season continues to be a rocky one on their end.

Indiana will now play the Los Angeles Sparks at their home, the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, on Saturday, June 27.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh