Caitlin Clark recently found herself in a contentious moment after being poked in the eye and later shoved to the ground during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup clash between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, June 17.
However, American tennis icon Chris Evert took issue with the incident and showed support for Clark.
Chris Evert Backs Caitlin Clark Amid WNBA Controversy
Tensions between the two teams escalated in the third quarter when Clark, while being guarded by Sun guard Jacy Sheldon, was poked in the eye.
Frustrated by Sheldon’s actions, the 23-year-old pushed her away. As Clark approached the referee, the Sun’s Marina Mabrey suddenly stepped in and shoved her to the ground.
Have a look at the clip shared below.
Imagine not kicking Marina Mabrey out after she assaults the face of the league? Just a common tech? Sick league @WNBA Also shouldn’t have been a tech on Caitlin since that girl got in her face after gouging her eyes. pic.twitter.com/bnqKCt9voO
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 18, 2025
In the aftermath, Sheldon’s common foul was upgraded to a flagrant foul, with Clark and Sun veteran Tina Charles receiving offsetting technicals. However, despite shoving Clark, Mabrey was issued a technical foul but was allowed to stay in the game.
The incident indeed took social media by storm, also sparking the attention of 18-time Major champion Evert. The American legend criticized the incident, urging players to recognize Clark’s positive impact on women’s basketball. Responding to a fan’s comment, Evert wrote:
“When will these ladies realize, accept, and appreciate @CaitlinClark22 is the best thing that ever happened to women’s basketball. This is a bad look for the sport and what’s happened to sportsmanship?”
When will these ladies realize, accept, and appreciate @CaitlinClark22 is the best thing that ever happened to women’s basketball. This is a bad look for the sport and what’s happened to sportsmanship? https://t.co/w7v4irE94N
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) June 18, 2025
Later in the game, Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham got into a tussle with Sheldon while defending her.
Finally a teammate got Caitlin Clark’s back after the assault she’s taken tonight. Sophie Cunningham you are a G. #wnba pic.twitter.com/YABrJPsMO1
— Matthew Barnett (@MatthewBarnett) June 18, 2025
Clark has earned widespread popularity for her game at a young age. However, it’s worth noting that the WNBA star has often found herself in such heated exchanges with her opponents. Most recently, she was involved in an altercation with Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard.
When Chris Evert Came to Caitlin Clark’s Defense Amid Award Controversy
Evert has consistently supported Clark across various platforms. Last year, the WNBA star received Time magazine’s ‘Athlete of the Year’ award. However, Sheila Johnson, co-owner of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, expressed in an interview with CNN that the award should have recognized the league as a whole, not just Clark.
She questioned why the magazine “couldn’t have put the whole WNBA on that cover.”
Evert later supported Clark, stating that the 23-year-old deserves the award because of her ‘talent and contributions.’
“Caitlin Clark deserves this award because of her talent and contributions both on and off the court…,” she wrote on X.
Caitlin Clark deserves this award because of her talent and contributions both on and off the court…
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) December 14, 2024
2024 was a remarkable season for Clark, who eventually earned a spot on the WNBA All-Star team and captured the Rookie of the Year award. She has also been widely praised for elevating the global profile of women’s basketball.
