Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark risks lifelong injury if she continues taking hard fouls, according to an orthopedic surgeon who spent more than a decade working with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
Speaking with Fox News, Dr. Nicholas DiNubile echoed calls for the WNBA to do more to protect its biggest star: ‘I think they should be calling things. They can officiate better… I mean, how do they miss this?’
He also warned of the ‘troubling’ contact Clark has absorbed on the court.
The latest controversy ignited during Indiana’s June 24 loss to Phoenix, when Clark found herself underneath several Mercury players during a scramble for a loose ball. Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas’s balled right hand came down on Clark’s throat, causing the Indiana star to wince in obvious pain.
Thomas wasn’t initially called for a foul but later received a one-game suspension for what she has since defended as a ‘complete accident.’
‘You can crush someone’s larynx with very little pressure,’ DiNubile told Fox News. ‘Ten to 20 pounds of pressure can damage the throat or larynx area. Even if you don’t fracture the larynx, a blow to that area, you could get some swelling or bleeding and close the airway and get into a very rapid life-or-death situation.
Lexi Hull #10, Caitlin Clark #22 and Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever after the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday in Indianapolis
Thomas’ balled hand is seen coming down on Clark’s throat during Wednesday’s game
‘I wouldn’t want to be the team doctor having to deal with that,’ he continued. ‘That’s what keeps us up at night, those kind of things that you have to respond to on the court… you can’t go for the throat.’
Fox News has cited 13 instances of ‘controversial contact’ against Clark since she arrived in the league in 2024. Since then, she has missed 33 regular-season games due to injury.
Of particular concern to DiNubile were the shots he says Clark has taken to her eyes – a particularly sensitive area for 3-point shooters.
‘She gets a lot to her face. She gets poked in the eye. She gets hit in the face,’ DiNubile said. ‘And they also, with her 3-point shooting… there’s a lot of where they get in her space and her landing space. You see that way too often and that’s very, very dangerous.’
He also cited head injuries and concussions as other potential problems, given the frequency with which Clark crashes to the hardwood.
DiNubile, who says he was an orthopaedic consultant with the Sixers from 1996 until 2008, does not think there is anything Clark can do to protect herself. Instead, he explained, the WNBA needs to crack down on hard fouls.
‘It’s hard to protect yourself with those type of… And that’s why they’re flagrant fouls, right? You just… There, there’s no way to really protect yourself in those instances… she takes it in stride. I don’t think she brings any of it on herself.’
The controversy marred the recent Commissioner’s Cup final in Brooklyn, where WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was booed while presenting the New York Liberty with their trophy.
A day earlier, Thomas lashed out at Engelbert and the league over their handling of the controversy. As a result, Thomas explained, she and her family have been targeted by racist online abuse and even threats.
‘Our families are being threatened,’ Thomas, who is Black, told reporters Tuesday. ‘Kids are being threatened. People are sending racial slurs and all types of stuff.
‘There’s a difference between trolling and there’s a difference between hatred,’ she continued. ‘The hatred that we’re experiencing over a play that was, honestly, a complete accident, no one even knew what happened, it’s just unfortunate.’
She also directed frustration at Engelbert, whom she criticized for being silent on the issue.
‘The league has to do better in this instance,’ Thomas said. ‘Honestly, I didn’t even know I was being suspended until 10 minutes before it was being put on social media. We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy.
‘It’s no surprise. You can see what’s being said on social media. It’s unfortunate, but as usual, she remains silent. That’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.
‘Just the whole narrative that’s being painted out there,’ she continued. ‘It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball.
‘A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after the game. And now we’re being painted as thugs. And [there are] death threats out on us, so it’s really unacceptable. It’s something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it.’
Thomas has returned from her one-game suspension, and is now taking aim at the WNBA
As reported by ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, Engelbert and Thomas did exchange text messages last week. The Commissioner is said to have directed league security to get in touch with Phoenix security over the threats to Thomas.
Engelbert also released her own statement on Tuesday.
‘The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate,’ Engelbert said. ‘The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority.
‘We are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.’
