A newfound assertiveness may be in store for fans of Iowa Star Caitlin Clark. In the WNBA, physicality has long been a part of the game. However, on Wednesday evening against the Washington Mystics, Clark was noticeably absent from her usual passive role when faced with aggressive defense from Julie Vanloo.
As Clark prepared to fade back behind the three-point arc to become a receiving option, Vanloo refused to yield, sparking Clark to push back in frustration. Some have speculated that Clark’s reaction could simply be a response to the dearth of support from her teammates, leaving her no choice but to take matters into her own hands.
Despite Clark’s impressive performance, which made WNBA history with a 29-point, 13-assist, five-rebound, five-3-pointer, five-steal, and three-block outing, her team ultimately faltered, falling 89-83. The supporting cast only produced two other double-digit scorers, with one contributing 11 points and the remaining players making minimal impact on the evening’s proceedings.
