"Why tell us now?" Fans waited, but the superstar suddenly sat out just before the game... WNBA issues strong warning to her team

*This content was translated by AI.

Controversy erupted over the absence of WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark (24, Indiana Fever).

The New York Post reported on the 22nd (Korean time) that "the WNBA office issued an official warning to Indiana because the Fever failed to properly report Clark's injury status."

The game in question was the matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Portland Fire held on the 20th. Until just before the game, Clark, a top-tier player in the league and the team's ace, was expected to play. However, Indiana announced Clark's absence less than two hours before tip-off.

Under WNBA rules, all teams must submit injury-related information by 5 p.m. the day before the game. Yet, Clark was not listed on Indiana's official injury report the previous day. Despite this, Indiana suddenly excluded Clark just before the game and faced the Portland match, ultimately drawing criticism for failing to follow the proper injury reporting procedures.

The controversy grew further because Clark is a representative player of the WNBA. Known for her precise three-point shooting and nicknamed "Female Curry," Clark is not only a highly skilled player but also one of the most popular in the league. Whether Clark plays can affect game viewership ratings and team ticket sales. The chance to see Clark play in person is also one of the reasons fans visit Indiana's arena.

As a result, the Indiana franchise could not avoid criticism for failing to fully consider these factors. Ultimately, the WNBA office issued an official warning to the Indiana franchise. No additional penalties, such as fines, were imposed.

In fact, the U.S. media outlet Outkick reported that after news of Clark's absence was delivered just before the game, many sections of the Indiana home stadium appeared empty. Clark's absence, as the WNBA's top box-office draw, significantly impacted fan enthusiasm.

Stephanie White, Indiana's head coach, explained that there was no major issue with Clark's physical condition. However, it appeared her condition was not at 100%. Coach White stated, "Clark is healthy. She was not rested for management purposes. However, she had an issue with her back, so we wanted to give her time to recover."

At the time, Clark expressed her willingness to play. She explained, "I intended to play. I never sent a signal that I wouldn't play. On the day of the game, I prepared with the mindset that I would play at 100%."

Meanwhile, despite Clark's absence, Indiana defeated Portland 90-73. Clark returned in the next game on the 23rd against the Golden State Valkyries, contributing 22 points and 9 assists, including four three-pointers. Her three-point shooting percentage was 44.4%. This season, Indiana holds a 4-2 record and sits in third place.

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*This content was translated by AI.