FEVER PITCH 

Demands for major WNBA rule change to stop Caitlin Clark being ‘targeted’ after controversial decisions

Caitlin Clark recently suffered a heated physical altercation

Indiana Fever ace Clark, 23, has been established as one of the biggest stars in women’s basketball since being drafted from the Iowa Hawkeyes last year.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles against the Golden State Valkyries in the first quarter at Chase Center on June 19, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 17: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever falls to the floor after being pushed by Marina Mabrey #3 of the Connecticut Sun during an altercation in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

But her rise to prominence has led to various occasions when opponents were too rough with her on the court as they took too many liberties to stop her from racking up the points.

And the point guard’s former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder has had enough as she called for stricter rules.

Bluder, 64, spent 24 years with the Hawkeyes – four of which saw her coaching Clark.

The celebrated tactician continues to follow her former player’s progress and while she understands she is not intentionally “targeted,” she does think rivals are giving her their “best shot”.

That is why the ex-college basketball coach insists the most egregious acts need to lead to ejection from the game as well as hefty financial fines.

Bluder told TMZ: “They think that’s the way that they can stop her, is by physical dominance over her.

“It’s a part of the WNBA. It’s a part of the rules right now, and if we want that to change, I think we have to change the way the game is called.

“I think there needs to be more freedom of movement in our game.

“Which means, yes, calling more fouls, which people don’t like, but people will adjust. The players will adjust.

“If we start calling more fouls and emphasize the rules, the players will adjust, cause they want to be on the floor.”

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This comes after a controversial incident that saw Clark getting shoved by Connecticut Sun ace Marina Mabrey.

The controversy was sparked as Jacy Sheldon guarded the Fever star and attempted to smother her.

In doing so, the Connecticut ace appeared to poke her rival in the eye and got in her face.

After Clark pushed her off, Mabrey came steaming in and violently shoved her to the ground, sparking a melee.

Somehow the Sun ace was not ejected but the Fever star was harshly handed a technical foul for her role in the incident – the WNBA subsequently accepted that the decision was incorrect.