“Go watch golf,” is how Arike Ogunbowale dealt with the media when asked about the physicality issue in the W. Though the Dallas Wings star suffered hard fouls last season in her game against the Las Vegas Aces, she accepted the physicality aspect as nature of basketball instead of playing victim and dismissing the issue altogether. The three time All-Star has been witnessing the issue since her rookie season in 2019, and feels, “It’s basketball, it’s gonna be physical. We’re gonna compete, some people might get knocked down, some people bleed and that’s basketball.” And addressing those that are offended by the nature of the sport and constantly complain regarding the physicality issue, Arike suggested that they tune into a sport like golf instead.
However, the issue has been highlighted ever since Caitlin Clark entered the league last year. With more eyeballs on Indiana Fever and on the star player, the officiating issues surrounding physicality have remained a bone of contention for the team as well as for the league. Known for her history with the referees, Clark was not someone to bear with the physicality aspect of the game. Moreover, the issue was further ignited when the whole Clark and Angel Reese situation blew up during the season opener. The scuffle led to racist and hate comments against Reese and ultimately the WNBA had to step in to investigate the matter.
Highlighting the officiating issue on her latest
YouTube podcast, Ex-ESPN host and national hoops analyst,
Rachel DeMita said that every team has been facing a similar issue. And that there are underlying issues within the officiating process if more than one team is facing this issue. “It is not just a one team issue. I know that Indiana Fever has the most spotlight on them. They are America’s team but it’s not just them who is complaining about the referees. It’s literally across the board and how they call the game.”
Whether it was Fever players Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard who faced physicality from Atlanta Dream’s roster or the recent Clark and Natasha Cloud incident where Cloud made a clean steal under Clark’s belt during the final moments of the game, Fever has not been the only team to face the referee issue. “There’s clearly a problem if it’s not just one team. Also, by the way, it’s not just the Indiana Fever. I know it’s been the biggest story this week, it’s not just them,” DeMita said.
She highlighted that even a team like Minnesota Lynx, who were the 2024 W finalists, have faced officiating issues. “Britney Griner left a sideline interview to go yell at the refs. The Lynx spent their entire offseason in any interview being asked about “Do you think the game was stolen from you from the referees?” Those were the kind of questions media was asking them,” she clearly stated. While Lynx player, Brittney Griner faced a grim issue where she had to leave mid-way to confront the refs, seems like Fever HC Stephanie White and her team are not the lone victims.
With teams like Lynx and reigning champions New York liberty also facing the same issues, the physicality has become the biggest question– did it help the league, or did it make it worse. And while Fever suffered both physicality of the opponents as well as officiating issue, it remains to be seen how Clark & Co. will deal with these odds and turn back the tables in their favour once again.
Caitlin Clark’s latest injury is a threat in disguise for Indiana Fever
“I’m always lighting a candle for her health because her health is of the utmost importance. One, to her and her career. Two, to the WNBA’s success. And three, as the key playmaker for the Indiana Fever,” WNBA content creator, Rosaline Lee said regarding Caitlin Clark’s health and career. Being a celebrity within her first year in the pros, Clark is loved and supported by fans worldwide. Therefore, when the news arrived of Clark no longer participating in the regular season, it send the media into a frenzy.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to the action Saturday, May 24, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The New York Liberty defeated the Indiana Fever, 90-88.
The Fever superstar was facing issues with her left quadriceps muscles since the training camp this year. But the issue grew deeper and the strain become unbearable for the 2024 overall first pick. Needless to say, Clark will remain absent for nearly two weeks. Well, this absence comes as a big blow to the Indiana Fever’s roster.
And will not only impact Fever’s offence but also the entire league. After all, Clark was the face of the league. The sole reason that people would flock the courtside, just to watch her play. Tune into their television sets to receive updates on her gameplay. And now all of that is gone in the blink of an eye.
Clark was not among those players to sit out an entire season. Not even during her college days, where she appeared in 139 games to be crowned the all-time leading scorer by the NCAA. And though she missed out on the first pre-season match this year, Clark returned in the second preseason, in her home-arena at Iowa, and did not disappoint.
With an impressive 36-footer from beyond the arc in the crucial minutes of the third quarter, she became the epitome of a basketball hero and even White couldn’t help but compare her to NBA counterpart, Steph Curry.
As people vouch for her fast recovery so that they get to witness their favourite player on the hardwood once again, how will Fever manage a roster without Clark? And while it is evident that White would need to step up and make roster adjustments, will the team soar news heights in Clark’s absence or sink deeper into losses? That remains to be seen.
The post Indiana Fever Not the Lone Victim to Refs as National Analyst Drops Bold Claim About Caitlin Clark & Co. appeared first on EssentiallySports.
