INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 30: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 questions being called for a delay of game against the Dallas Wings during a preseason game on April 30, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 30 Preseason Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260434

‘This is indefensible’: Jason Whitlock blasts ‘Caitlin cult’ after Valkyries meltdown

Jul 16, 2026, 5:31 AM CUT

After the incident that occurred during the Indiana Fever's matchup against the Golden State Valkyries, veteran journalist Jason Whitlock criticized Caitlin Clark's on-court behavior while simultaneously targeting her fanbase.

The game, which the Valkyries won 88-75, featured a sequence where Clark yelled at referee Gerda Gatling after center Aliyah Boston was whistled for a foul while battling Veronica Burton in the paint. Whitlock immediately shared his criticism on X.

"Caitlin Cult, this is indefensible," Whitlock wrote on July 15. "The N**** Protester is a problem."

The foul, which Whitlock criticized in his X post, occurred in the second quarter, with 4:20 left, with the score being 31-27 at the time.

WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA 2024: Fever vs Sun SEP 22 September 22, 2024: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 looks on during game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Erica Denhoff/CSM Credit Image: Â Erica Denhoff/Cal Media Uncasville Connecticut United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240922_zma_c04_562.jpg EricaxDenhoffx csmphotothree309527

This isn't the first time Whitlock has criticized Clark for her behavior.

During the game against the Las Vegas Aces, which Indiana won 109-75, Clark was seen guarding Chelsea Gray in the second quarter with 4:26 left, before Gray scored a 2-pointer as she fell, with Clark receiving a foul and complaining about it. Whitlock went on to comment about it.

"Caitlin Clark was at it again, going at the officials after one of the worst flops I’ve ever seen. Her cult following constantly wants to make her a victim, and she is starting to believe she always is one," Whitlock wrote on X on July 13.

Clark scored 12 points, gave six assists, and had seven rebounds in that game, while playing a total of 24 minutes. But coming back to the Valkyries game, Whitlock also noticed a potential foul on the two-time All-Star.

Jason Whitlock earlier called out a foul on Caitlin Clark during the Valkyries game

During the game, with 4:43 left in the second quarter, Clark went for a layup and scored, but got slightly pushed by the Valkyries' veteran center Kiah Stokes, for which she wanted a foul, but the referees didn't seem interested.

"That was an offensive foul on Clark and should’ve been a technical," Whitlock wrote on X on July 15.

Clark was seen limping after Stokes' push caused her to fall.

Indiana Fever beat reporter Scott Agness also tweeted about Clark revealing post-game that she was kneed in the quad during the controversial play against Stokes.

"That hurts," Clark said, per Fever beat reporter Scott Agness. "The ref can't miss that. And then I have to play with a contusion in my leg the rest of the game. It's ridiculous."

There have been questions related to the WNBA officiating ever since the infamous incident involving veteran Alyssa Thomas and Clark happened on June 24, where Thomas pushed her fist through Clark's throat and stepped over her. Still, no foul was given during the game.

Thomas received a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension after the game. While Whitlock did point out a potential foul on Clark, he once again criticized Clark's behavior towards the referees of the league.

What do you think? Does Jason Whitlock have a point about Caitlin Clark’s reactions to officiating, or is the criticism blown out of proportion? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore