Megan Rapinoe Supports Caitlin Clark After WNBA Incident

Former USA women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe has expressed her support for WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark following a contentious moment during the Indiana Fever's recent victory over the Seattle Storm. The incident occurred late in the game when Clark, celebrating a strong performance, was bumped by Storm player Skylar Diggins-Smith near the visitors' bench. Rapinoe, discussing the event with her partner and former WNBA star Sue Bird on their podcast, praised Clark's competitive spirit, stating, "Caitlin's always in the mix." Bird echoed Rapinoe's sentiments, noting that the situation had become "a little spicy" and suggesting that the Storm should have been more aggressive in defending their territory. Clark has faced physical challenges from opponents throughout the season, including a notable bodycheck from Chennedy Carter of the Sky earlier in the year. Despite the controversy, Bird described the bump from Diggins-Smith as "benign," while fans online criticized the action, with some attributing it to jealousy and others mocking Diggins-Smith's physicality. Clark's performance in the game was impressive, as she contributed significantly with 23 points and nine assists, leading the Fever to a 92-75 victory over the Storm. The incident has sparked discussions about competitiveness and sportsmanship in the league, highlighting Clark's rising prominence and the challenges she faces from rival players.