Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will return to the lineup Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Sparks after missing three games due to back problems. The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over the WNBA's handling of physical play, particularly involving Clark.
Republican lawmakers have sent a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, arguing the league has failed to protect Clark from repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility. The letter, led by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) and co-signed by a dozen members of Congress—including Indiana representatives—cites incidents where Clark was hip-checked, poked in the eye, and struck in the throat. The lawmakers claim these incidents go beyond routine physical play and call for accountability.
The WNBA has faced criticism for its officiating, particularly after a June 24 game where officials initially declined to assess a flagrant foul against Alyssa Thomas for striking Clark in the throat. The league later upgraded the play to a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty, resulting in a one-game suspension and a $1,000 fine for Thomas.
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White deferred to team spokesperson Jackie Maynard for a statement, emphasizing the organization's priority on player safety and ongoing dialogue with the league. The Fever have maintained that they have not interacted with the congressional group and were unaware of the letter.
The letter highlights Clark's impact on the league, noting her role in increasing fan interest, television ratings, and corporate sponsorships. The lawmakers argue that as the face of the WNBA, Clark deserves greater protection.
The WNBA has not yet publicly responded to the letter.