In Wednesday night's game, Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever rookie, experienced another aggressive incident on the court when a rival player nearly hit her in the head. This unfortunate incident follows a series of incidents involving Chicago Sky players Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter, raising concerns for Clark's safety. Some notable figures, including Bill Maher and Clay Travis, have even suggested that Clark, who is white and straight, may be targeted due to her role in the WNBA's unprecedented surge in popularity.

Despite the rough play, Clark led the Fever to their third consecutive victory, defeating the Washington Mystic with a score of 88-81. However, during the game, an apparent foul that should have sent Clark to the free-throw line was missed by the referees. As she attempted a layup, Stefanie Dolson, the 6ft5in center for the Mystic, knocked the ball out of Clark's hands.

Fans expressed frustration with the missed call, criticizing the officiating in the WNBA. Social media platforms were flooded with comments demanding better refereeing and questioning the consistency of calls made in the games. However, Clark remains focused on the team's performance and goals, disregarding the instant gratification demands from critics.

This season has been challenging for Clark, who has become a target for rough treatment from other players in the league. Most recently, Angel Reese committed a flagrant foul against her in a previous game, while Chennedy Carter hip-checked her, resulting in a personal foul that was later upgraded to a flagrant-1 violation.

Despite the rough encounters, Clark's intense rivalry with Reese and her teammates has propelled the WNBA's viewership to unprecedented heights. The Fever's match against the Sky became the most-watched game in over two decades, with an average of 2.25 million viewers and a peak viewership of 3 million households, marking it as the most highly-viewed game in 23 years.

However, Clark's rising stardom has also attracted negativity, with some individuals using her name to spread racism and misogyny. Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington took to Twitter to call out Clark for her silence in what she referred to as a "culture war." Despite this, Clark firmly expressed her disappointment and disapproval of her name being misused for such agendas.

As the WNBA continues to gain popularity, it is essential to address safety concerns and ensure fair play on the court. The league and its officials must remain vigilant in protecting players and upholding the integrity of the game.