The Indiana Fever star has been on the end receiving end of rough treatment

Caitlin Clark.LAPRESSE

Caitlin Clark has endured a difficult ride since making the step up from college basketball to the WNBA, with the Indiana Fever star finding herself on the end of some physical challenges.

The No.1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has attracted special attention for her exploits in the NCAA and it has resulted in opposition players giving her rough treatment.

Caitlin Clark was challenged by a teammate during an Indiana Fever training session

Chennedy Carter was punished for a Flagrant-1 foul on her during their game against the Chicago Sky, while her team-mate Angel Reese hit her in the face.

The 22-year-old hasn’t been one to complain and has simply got on with the job, but she has finally revealed the extent of the injuries suffered from those screens after injuring her ear.

“Honestly, I’ve been popped on a couple of screens, I actually ruptured my ear drum when we were in New York on a tough screen,” Clark said, speaking to reporters ahead of the Fever‘s game against Atlanta Dream.

“So, if I have to pick one right now, it’d probably be that. Great screens, I just didn’t hear them. So, it’s kind of my own fault.”

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Earlier in June, Clark had a tough ride against the New York Liberty as the Fever lost by 36 points. Clark posted her lowest total since joining the WNBA, scoring just three points and shooting 10 per cent from the field.

She left the court midway through the game and refused to divulge her reasons for doing so: “I don’t want to explain it, it’d probably be pretty gross. But no, I feel fine. I can’t hear great out of one of my ears,” Clark said at the time.

Caitlin Clark targeted again

It proved to be the case on Wednesday when Clark was subjected to a heavy blow to the face from Stefanie Dolson.

Clark was about to attempt a layup when the Mystic’s 6ft5in center Stefanie Dolson knocked the ball out of her hands.

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Some figures such as Bill Maher and Clay Travis have even claimed that Clark is being targeted because she’s white and straight.

But she got on with the job and finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals, as the Fever claimed an 88-81 victory over the Washington Mystics to make it three wins in a row.