Caitlin Clark has once again found herself at the center of controversy—this time, not just for the physical blows she’s taken, but for what didn’t happen in the aftermath.

During the Indiana Fever’s 88–71 victory over the Connecticut Sun, Clark was poked in the eye by Jacy Sheldon and then shoved to the ground by Marina Mabrey, igniting what fans now call the “Barbie Brawl.” While Sophie Cunningham later retaliated by dragging Sheldon to the floor—earning a Flagrant 2 and an ejection—many fans and analysts questioned why Clark’s teammates didn’t step in sooner.

On Fearless Friday, Jason Whitlock zeroed in on the silence from Indiana’s frontcourt.

“They’re basically calling out Aaliyah Boston, Natasha Howard,” Whitlock said, reacting to viral commentary from Minnesota Lynx stars Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, who said they would’ve “crashed out” if one of their teammates had been treated that way. “Your star player just got knocked to the ground, flopping like she’s been killed—and y’all are nowhere to be seen.”

Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Whitlock pointed to Boston’s quiet personality—shaped by her Christian faith—as a possible reason for her hesitation. As for Howard, he claimed there may be a larger issue at play involving a disconnect or a lack of engagement with the team’s dynamic.

He also brought up veteran guard Erica Wheeler, who played for the Fever last season and was one of Clark’s fiercest defenders both on and off the court. Whitlock suggested Indiana may have made a mistake by not retaining someone who would have stepped up in that moment.
Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) passes the ball while Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Clark, for her part, has maintained composure throughout the season despite repeated instances of physical play. But as tensions rise and the spotlight on her continues to grow, the calls for her teammates to be more than just spectators during these skirmishes are getting louder.

The question is no longer whether Caitlin Clark can take the heat—it’s whether her team will show they’re willing to stand in it with her.

“Five Scoops of Cane Sugar”: Caitlin Clark among others, Fueling MVP Race

Beyond the brawls and controversy, Caitlin Clark is turning heads with her play—and it’s landed her in the thick of the MVP race. According to Whitlock and co-host Steve Kim, Clark joins Sabrina Ionescu among the top six names vying for the WNBA’s top individual award this season.

But while Clark is surging, it’s Napheesa Collier who currently leads the MVP conversation with averages of 24.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and nearly two steals per game.
Jun 14, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
For Whitlock and Kim, though, the MVP race reflects more than just numbers.

“Altogether, there’s five scoops of cane sugar in an allegedly black coffee league,” Whitlock said. “The white women have invaded the WNBA and are dominating the WNBA, and I think there’s a reason why.”

He elaborated, “Sports are being dominated by two-parent family kids. Period. End of story.”

Jun 19, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (right) defends against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Whitlock believes this shift marks the slow fade of what he described as “baby mama professional sports leagues,” arguing that athletes from more stable, traditional upbringings—many of them white or mixed—are beginning to change the face of the WNBA.

For more sports content:

Follow us @HardwoodHeroics for your NBA and college basketball reading fix. You can reach out to Dan Agulto through email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!

Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.