Candace Parker Gets Real About Caitlin Clark’s Rough WNBA Welcome: “Star Players Aren’t Ever Treated Fairly”

The spotlight on Caitlin Clark has never been brighter, but it’s come with a physical price. As the Indiana Fever’s breakout star continues to electrify the WNBA, a heated debate is swirling around the tough, sometimes bruising defense she faces every night.

Clark, currently sidelined with a left quad strain and expected to miss at least the next three games, has become the center of a conversation that stretches well beyond her injury. Although her current absence isn’t directly related to the aggressive tactics opponents use against her, it’s no secret that teams are testing the rookie’s resilience, pushing her to the limit—often without drawing a whistle from the refs.

The issue has sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts alike: Is Clark being treated unfairly? Or is this just the reality for a rising superstar?

WNBA legend and TNT broadcaster Candace Parker weighed in when cornered by a TMZ reporter outside an arena. Asked whether Clark was facing excessive physicality, Parker didn’t hesitate. “You know, it’s definitely like, star players aren’t ever treated fairly,” she said with a knowing laugh, as shared in a viral X (formerly Twitter) post by @Krysta____.

Parker’s candid response, delivered on the fly as she headed to her car, resonated with many. Her words suggest that Clark’s rough introduction to the league is far from unique—in fact, it’s almost a rite of passage for the game’s biggest names.

As the Fever fight through Clark’s absence, one thing is clear: the rookie sensation has already earned the kind of respect—and attention—that comes with being a star. For now, fans shouldn’t expect the physical play against Clark to let up any time soon. In the WNBA, as Candace Parker reminded us, the brightest lights often come with the toughest challenges.