Caitlin Clark spoke to the media on Friday regarding an incident where she was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. Clark stated, "I did think it was a flagrant foul. Our reffing just needs to be better," while also acknowledging the challenges faced by officials. She emphasized the need for the league to improve player protection, saying, "The league has to do better protecting our players." Clark described the foul as clear, asserting, "I don’t think it was up for debate... You can go back and watch the clip. I think it was straightforward."
Clark's comments followed discussions among media and players about the incident, including remarks from Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike, who suggested that narratives based on social media could be misleading. Clark condemned the harassment directed at Thomas, stating, "The harassment and the hate. None of that is ok."
She expressed her emotional struggles with the ongoing controversy, stating, "I’m not a robot. I have emotions. I have feelings… I’m 24 years old trying to navigate a lot… There are times where it’s hard." Clark also mentioned the impact of the media narrative on her team and the league, calling it a "disservice" to players.
Despite the challenges, Clark expressed gratitude for the support from her organization, saying, "I’m thankful to be here in an organization that has my back and will always stand up for me." She concluded her statement by encouraging a return to positivity and smiling, noting that she would be sidelined for the upcoming game against the Las Vegas Aces.