Is the Caitlin Clark hate real? Despite Becky Hammon sending out a clear message that no one in the league hates Clark, the game between Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever had a quite a controversial moment. During a rather one-sided game, the reigning Sixth Player of the Year Alysha Clark inadvertently hit Clark hard on the face while trying to block her shot.

During the initial minutes of the second quarter of the game between Indiana and Las Vegas tonight, Caitlin Clark drove to the basket for a layup but couldn’t create enough separation between herself and the defender, Alysha Clark. It resulted in the Aces guard stripping the ball away from the Iowa icon. However, Alysha also smacked the 22-year-old in the eye. While at first glance, it didn’t look too dangerous, replays suggested otherwise.

As a result, the 3x WNBA champion picked a quick whistle for a personal foul and Clark went to the strip for a couple of free throws. While it did not look anything like an intentional hit, the Aces guard ran away from the crime scene in disbelief. Although Clark continued playing for the Fever, the Aces prevented the rookie from showing off her skills. She only scored 8 points and 5 rebounds with a game-high 7 assists.

The game ended with a 99-80 win for the Aces but the Caitlin Clark incident became the talking point. When she arrived in the league, there were rumors that some of the veterans weren’t happy because of the attention that was given to Clark. Clark generated high viewership numbers during her college career and as such she is expected to do the same in WNBA. But the physical nature of the league has been quite a challenge.

As Clark and other rookies were preparing for the draft this year, WNBA legend Diana Taurasi had a warning for them. “Reality is coming, there’s levels to this thing. You look superhuman playing against some 18 years olds but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.” Clark has realized that the WNBA is a step up from college basketball in terms of the physicality on display.

She has acknowledged the increased physicality and speed after a first few games. “The physicality is definitely up there. I’m easily pushed off screens… The game seems a little fast for me right now.” So far Clark has done alright as she averages 17.8 points per game and 5.8 assists, but she has struggled with turnovers, averaging 5.8 per game and her shooting percentages have also dipped.

Still, in light of what happened with Alysha Clark in the recent game, fans are not happy and believe that there is a deliberate attempt to stifle the rookie class on WNBA by the veterans.

“Old players are disgusting,” Fans go against the veterans for their flagrant play

Indiana has a very young core that has struggled to keep up with the physicality of the league with six defeats and one win this season. However, what happened tonight has turned the focus on whether being physical should translate into hurting the opponent. One YT user stood up for all the 2024 rookies. They commented,

“The hate for this rookie class has to be studied.”

Another YT user called out the “old players” for their behavior towards the rookies. Tonight, Caitlin Clark was not the only one on the receiving end of the physical nature of the W as Angel Reese was also thrown to the ground in her game. The Player of the Week in the Eastern Conference, Alyssa Thomas, dragged the rookie down by her neck. Although the Chi-Town Barbie only praised the vet, fans are not okay with what is going on against the talented 2024 batch.

“This old players are disgusting, happened during Sun game too, also Thomas, took down Reece by the neck.”

The NBA GOATs have been standing up for Caitlin Clark ever since she was in college and received attention. Recently, LeBron James commented on how the rookie is the sole reason for all the great changes in the W. Sir Charles and Magic Johnson also followed that up. They praised Clark for all her contributions to the evolution of the league. In fact, Charles Barkley addressed the treatment that has been meted out to Clark and called it “petty.”

Speaking during the TV coverage of NBA playoffs Barkley said, “Y’all petty, girls. Y’all should be thanking that girl for getting y’all a** private charters. All the money and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA; don’t be petty like dudes. What she’s accomplished, give her her flowers.” Hence, one Clark fan brought up how Charles Barkley had called all the ‘hateful’ WNBA veterans

“Charles Barkley: Stop being petty.”

Earlier Aces coach said Becky Hammon said there was no animosity towards Clark from the league. She said, “This narrative of everybody hating on Caitlin Clark, and even the black and white thing, knock it off. It’s not there. It’s not there. Shut down the noise.” But the Aysha Clark incident does raise a few questions.

A basketball follower also brought up the fact that after the follow-through hit, Alysha Clark pranced out of the paint. And even if the smack was not intentional, the way she laughed off of the area made the entire situation look strange. Later, Kelsey Plum too bent down while trying to hide her laugh after this case. So, whether it was intended or not, we cannot say for sure. But did the whistle for a foul make the right decision? Pretty much so.

“That was a deliberate hit from the way she was prancing afterwards.”

Parallels between Michael Jordan and Caitlin Clark are not new. In the W, her huge deal with Nike and Wilson has stirred up the air with comparisons. And while none of the players have spoken about it, fans are not stopping with it. Hence, one YT user reminded the previously honored “Stephen Curry of women’s basketball” that she is the MJ of the women’s league. They also told the rookie to know the hate but also to continue raising the bar.

“Cc remember this they are hatein on you ….Your MJ of this woman’s league…So take the hits get in the gym and stay balling girl.”

It won’t be surprising to see the NCAA all-time leading scorer getting more such hits in the coming weeks and months. Next, the Fever will host the LA Sparks in their home arena. It will be interesting to see if they can hand the visitors another defeat and grab their second win of the season. Fans will hope that Clark will be the talking point of the upcoming match but for all the right reasons.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.