Thursday night’s WNBA matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Dallas Wings turned ugly, according to a report from The Gateway Pundit, with Fever superstar Caitlin Clark on the receiving end of what the outlet describes as a ‘tackle’ and repeated physical abuse that went largely uncalled by referees.
The Gateway Pundit’s Jim Hoft, a self-described former NBA HoopItUp Street Ball Champion and longtime basketball player, wrote that he has ‘NEVER seen a player tackled on a basketball court’ until now. The outlet posted video clips appearing to show Clark being pulled to the ground by Wings guard Odyssey Sims while trying to run toward a pass, with no foul whistle blown.
‘Momentum? Caitlin was very clearly tackled! She’s trying to run towards the pass while Sims pulls her to the ground!’ read one post embedded in the report.
That play was far from the only incident. The Gateway Pundit reports that Clark was ‘held, hit in the neck, and mugged on virtually every play’ throughout the game, with referees ‘turning a blind eye’ to the contact. Another clip, posted by a user named Broker Nick, shows what appears to be a defender pulling Clark’s arm while she is in full motion, with the caption warning that such a play is ‘dangerous’ and accusing officials of blowing the whistle ‘only against her.’
Announcers’ Take Disputed
The report also highlights a social media collage of the hits Clark absorbed, noting that the broadcast announcer described one incident as Odyssey Sims tripping — a characterization The Gateway Pundit and other observers disputed.
‘After Caitlin Clark was getting hit all night, was that tackle really an accident or just another day of Caitlin getting beat up with no call?’ read a tweet included in the article.
The Gateway Pundit did not provide a response from the WNBA, the Fever, the Wings, or the referees. The outlet’s report relies on video evidence and social media commentary to make the case that Clark is being unfairly targeted and that officials are failing to protect her.
This incident comes amid a broader ongoing conversation about physical play against Clark, who has been one of the WNBA’s most prominent and heavily guarded players since entering the league. Calls for better officiating and player protection have intensified in recent months.
As of publication, neither the WNBA nor the teams involved had issued a public statement regarding the specific plays highlighted in the report. The league’s officiating department has not commented on whether any of the plays will be reviewed for potential fines or suspensions.
The Gateway Pundit’s report, complete with embedded video clips, has reignited debate among fans and commentators about the line between aggressive defense and dangerous play, and whether referees are doing enough to keep star players safe.
Source: www.thegatewaypundit.com — https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/wnba-superstar-caitlin-clark-is-tackled-mugged-court/