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With all due respect to four-time and reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark is undeniably the biggest star in the WNBA today. Which makes it a problem for the league that the Indiana Fever star was limited to just 13 games last season due to injury.
The WNBA has prided itself on its physicality in recent years, especially compared to the NBA, where “freedom of movement” rules have made it so that defense is much more difficult to play, and free-throw attempts are at an all-time high.
The problem, however, is that the physicality, as well as a longer, more condensed schedule, has led to injuries not just for Clark, but for several of the league’s biggest names.
This season, the league has discussed changing the way that games are refereed, and Clark is all for it.
Caitlin Clark Praises WNBA Referees Despite Preseason Injury Scare
The Fever began its 2025 preseason on Thursday night against the Dallas Wings, and nearly did so in the worst way imaginable. In the third quarter, Clark collided with Dallas forward Alanna Smith on a shot attempt and crumpled to the ground.
Smith was called for a flagrant foul on the play, but Clark needed to exit the game after shooting two free throws and did not return.
Thankfully, it appears that her absence was entirely precautionary, and after the game, she praised referees for the way they called the game.
“I feel good, I just landed on my kneecap really hard,” Clark told members of the media via ESPN. “I know there’s a committee of people that really wanted them [the refs] to start calling things, and I thought they did a great job of that. Honestly, I thought the refs were great, and it’s preseason, so you’re probably going to see more fouls called. I expect that number to drop. But I think overall, it’s going to improve the product.”
Obviously, the WNBA needs to find a balance between its physical play and the nonstop foul calls that we see in NBA games. But it appears the league is off to a strong start toward doing so.