Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark missed the Fever’s 111-87 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday with a back injury sustained during the midweek duel against the Phoenix Mercury.
Clark has been in the headlines due to an incident involving Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, who was banned for one game for thrusting a fist in the Fever star’s throat.
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WNBA Analyst Weighs in on Caitlin Clark Controversy
In a clip posted on his X page, WNBA analyst Robin Lundberg, author of “Caitlin Clark: From the Logo,” was shocked by the prevailing discourse about Clark’s treatment by players and officials in the league.
“We can’t just allow it to be open season on Caitlin Clark,” Lundberg said.
“Nobody cares about Caitlin Clark. In fact, some people seem to hate her. I can’t draw any other conclusion,”he continued. “Has anyone asked how Caitlin Clark is doing? The player who got hurt? ‘Oh, I hope Clark is alright. I hope her back is alright. I hope she can return.’”
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“… What about Caitlin Clark’s mental health and state? You think she’s not on the receiving end of a bunch of (expletive)? If you’re discrediting Caitlin Clark to get back at fans or to get back at trolls or commentators, it doesn’t nake you an activist, it makes you an (expletive).”
After Thomas initially escaped punishment for her actions against Clark, Fever coach Stephanie White blasted the league for not protecting one of its biggest assets more, sparking a debate that continues to divide fans and analysts.
Amid the debates, a former NFL LB proposed a radical Clark – WNBA split.
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During Sunday’s segment of the “Speakeasy” podcast, former linebacker Emmanuel Acho called for the WNBA to do away with Clark after she helped bring attention to the league.
“The W, at this junction in time, would be better off without Caitlin Clark because she is a bigger distraction than she is an additive,” Acho said.
“Clark has gotten the WNBA over the necessary threshold they needed. Now people are watching, now we realize there is talent in the W, talent that’s actually even greater than Caitlin Clark.
“Caitlin did what only Caitlin could do, and we don’t necessarily need her to do anymore, thank you Caitlin, we can take it from here. Unless we can take off our gloves for Clark and stop trying to act like she’s a messiah, the WNBA could and would be better off without Caitlin Clark.”
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Clark arrived in the WNBA amid a media storm, and her presence helped drive TV ratings skyward.
Over the years, several hard fouls have led fans and analysts to question the perceived value of the Indiana star.
