More refereeing controversy followed Caitlin Clark after the Indiana Fever lost 91-85 to the Dallas Wings on Thursday. The three-time All-Star has remained at the center of questionable fouls and non-calls that continue to divide the WNBA world.
On Friday, a fan shared a clip showing Clark taking multiple hits without drawing a whistle. The footage quickly caught the attention of a former WWE star, who weighed in on the sequence.
Shane Helms Defends Caitlin Clark, Blasts WNBA Officials
The play began with Clark driving into the lane, where she ran into Odyssey Sims, Awak Kuier and Jessica Shepard. Sims and Kuier appeared to make contact with Clark as she tried to get through the defense, but no foul was called.
The contact eventually knocked the ball loose. Sims took off the other way, while Clark was whistled for what the voice-over in the video described as a “little touch.”
That sequence clearly did not sit well with Shane “The Hurricane” Helms.
“Her haters will still find a way to justify it though,” Helms tweeted.
Her haters will still find a way to justify it though. 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/KEYkhkPUBr
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) August 22, 2026
It was hardly the only contentious officiating moment involving Clark that night.
Earlier in the game, Clark found herself tangled up with Wings superstar Paige Bueckers late in the second quarter. With Dallas having a foul to give, Bueckers held Clark with both hands. The official initially let the play go despite having a clear view of the action.
Clark moved toward the referee while Bueckers continued holding her. Only then did the official blow the whistle. Clark had flailed and thrown the ball before the call finally came.
The sequence added to a much larger debate that has followed Clark since she entered the WNBA in 2024. Her treatment by opposing defenders and the way officials respond to contact around her have become recurring talking points among fans, analysts, and even lawmakers.
Some believe Clark has been subjected to an unusual amount of physical play without receiving enough protection from officials. That view became serious enough that 11 U.S. congressmen demanded answers from commissioner Cathy Engelbert last month.
Others see things differently.
Critics have argued that Clark sometimes flops or embellishes contact, making referees less willing to reward her with calls. That is essentially the argument Helms appeared to push back against with his post.
The debate reached another level in June when Alyssa Thomas struck Clark in the throat with a fist during a game against the Phoenix Mercury. The initial no-call generated widespread criticism, and after reviewing the incident, the WNBA suspended Thomas for one game and fined her.
ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike offered a different interpretation, saying Clark embellishes certain plays and that the “optics” of the incident, rather than the action itself, contributed to Thomas’ suspension. Her comments drew plenty of backlash.
Now, another clip showing Clark absorbing contact without a foul has reopened the same argument. Whether fans see it as normal physical defense or another example of missed calls, the debate over how Clark is officiated shows no sign of slowing down.
