Caitlin Clark Bullies FURIOUS As Indiana Fever SIGN ENFORCERS To Protect Her! Caitlin Clark of the WNBA Indiana Fever spent last season taking cheap shots, getting hacked, and dealing with defenders who thought they could bully their way into stopping her. But guess what? That era is officially over. Enter Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham, and DeWanna Bonner—three veteran stars who play with an edge and aren’t afraid to get physical. And the Caitlin Clark bullies are furious
The hardwood is no place for the timid, and last season, Caitlin Clark learned that lesson the hard way. She arrived in the WNBA with a spotlight brighter than any rookie before her, a generational talent with a highlight reel that had already gone viral before her first professional bucket. But with that attention came a target on her back, and every night, Clark found herself in the crosshairs. The message from the rest of the league was clear: Welcome to the WNBA, rookie—let’s see what you’re really made of.
From the opening tip, it was open season on Clark. Defenders hacked, shoved, and body-checked her with a level of aggression that bordered on the absurd. There was no “rookie wall” for Caitlin Clark—there was a rookie gauntlet, and it was lined with elbows and hard fouls. The numbers told the story: an astonishing percentage of all flagrant fouls in the league were committed against her, with the Chicago Sky leading the way in physical intimidation. Every time Clark drove the lane, it felt less like basketball and more like a test of survival. Was it jealousy? Was it old-school intimidation? Or was it simply the league’s way of trying to slow down a superstar in the making?
But Clark never complained. She never pointed fingers or lashed out. Instead, she did what legends do: she got up, dusted herself off, and kept playing. No retaliation, no drama—just cold, relentless focus. After one particularly vicious hit, even the announcers fell silent, unsure if she’d get back up. But there she was, rising to her feet, eyes blazing, ready for the next possession. “That’s just not a basketball play,” she’d say later, “but you’ve got to play through it.” The league had never seen anything quite like her—a rookie with the poise of a veteran and the heart of a champion.
But behind the scenes, the Indiana Fever front office was watching. They saw their franchise player absorbing punishment night after night, and they knew something had to change. The days of Caitlin Clark being a punching bag were over. This offseason, the Fever decided to flip the script. They didn’t just want to compete—they wanted to dominate, and they were ready to send a message to the entire league: If you come for Clark, you’re going to have to go through us.
The first move was a statement in itself: Natasha Howard. If you know women’s basketball, you know Howard’s name is synonymous with toughness. A three-time WNBA champion, a former Defensive Player of the Year, and a veteran of more than 300 games, Howard is the kind of player who changes a team’s DNA the moment she walks in the locker room. She’s not here for gimmicks or drama—she’s here to win, and she’s here to protect her teammates. For years, Howard has been the league’s ultimate enforcer, a player who makes opponents think twice before driving the lane. Now, she was bringing that edge to Indiana.
Howard’s impact was instant. Her presence alone shifted the balance of power. Suddenly, Clark wasn’t alone. Suddenly, every hard foul came with a price. Howard’s defensive stats are the stuff of legend—multiple seasons averaging over a block and a steal per game, a top-25 shot blocker in league history, and a reputation for shutting down the paint. But it’s not just her numbers that matter—it’s her attitude. Howard has seen it all, won it all, and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. She’s the kind of teammate every superstar dreams of, the one who has your back when things get ugly.
But the Fever weren’t done. They wanted more than just defense—they wanted attitude, grit, and a little bit of chaos. Enter Sophie Cunningham. If Natasha Howard is the league’s enforcer, Cunningham is its wild card. She’s a sharpshooter with a black belt in Taekwondo and a mean streak that’s become legendary. Opposing players know: if you mess with her teammates, Sophie will be in your face, ready to throw down. She’s been in more on-court altercations than most players have playoff games, and she never backs down. Cunningham brings more than just toughness—she brings elite shooting, stretching defenses with her 37.8% from three last season, and the kind of relentless energy that can swing the momentum of a game in a single play.
Cunningham’s arrival was strategic. The Fever didn’t just need talent—they needed someone who would stand up for Clark, someone who would set the tone. If last season’s narrative was “stop Clark at all costs,” this season’s is “good luck trying.” Cunningham’s reputation precedes her, and Indiana fans know she’ll be the first to step in if anyone tries to get physical with their star. She’s the kind of player who takes a hard hit, gets up laughing, and comes back even harder—a perfect fit for a team that’s tired of being pushed around.
But Indiana wasn’t done building their fortress. The final piece of the puzzle was DeWanna Bonner, a living legend with multiple championships, All-Star appearances, and a reputation as one of the most versatile forwards in the game. Bonner isn’t just a veteran—she’s a winner. She knows what it takes to go deep in the playoffs, to close out games under pressure, and to lead a team when the stakes are highest. Her arrival signaled something bigger: the Fever weren’t just adding muscle. They were adding a championship mindset.
Bonner brings more than stats—she brings leadership. She’s already studying film, learning her teammates’ tendencies, and figuring out how to elevate Clark, Boston, and Mitchell to new heights. She’s not just here to finish her career—she’s here to leave a legacy. For a young Fever squad that’s been knocking on the door of greatness, Bonner’s experience is the missing ingredient. She’s the one who can teach them how to win when it matters most, how to stay composed in the chaos, and how to turn potential into championships.
The transformation was complete. Overnight, the Indiana Fever went from a rebuilding project to a championship contender. The days of Caitlin Clark being bullied were over. The message to the league was loud and clear: If you want to come for Clark, you’ll have to get through Howard, Cunningham, and Bonner first. Good luck with that.
Now, every game feels different. The energy in Indiana is electric. Fans who once held their breath every time Clark hit the floor now roar with confidence, knowing their star is protected. The Fever’s new roster is a perfect blend of youth and experience, finesse and grit, skill and toughness. Clark can run the offense, knowing she has shooters on the wings and warriors in the paint. Opposing teams can no longer collapse on her without consequence—leave Cunningham open, and she’ll make you pay from deep; challenge Howard in the paint, and you’ll end up on a poster; try to outsmart Bonner, and you’ll find yourself outplayed by a master.
But the real story isn’t just about basketball. It’s about respect. For years, women’s sports have fought for recognition, for legitimacy, for a seat at the table. Clark’s arrival brought unprecedented attention, but it also exposed the league’s growing pains. The old guard resented the new spotlight, and Clark became the flashpoint for a league-wide conversation about jealousy, respect, and what it means to be a star. The Fever’s moves are about more than just winning games—they’re about changing the narrative. They’re about standing up and saying, “We won’t be intimidated. We won’t be bullied. We’re here to win, and we’re here to stay.”
The rest of the league is on notice. The Indiana Fever are no longer a team you can push around. They’re not here to play nice—they’re here to take over. The additions of Howard, Cunningham, and Bonner have turned them into the most dangerous squad in the WNBA, a team that can beat you with skill, outwork you with hustle, and out-tough you in the trenches. For Clark, it’s a dream come true. She can finally play her game, knowing her teammates have her back.
But the stakes are higher than ever. Every game is a battle, every possession a test. The target is still on Clark’s back, but now it’s surrounded by armor. The Fever’s new identity is forged in fire—every hard foul, every cheap shot, every moment of adversity has made them stronger. They’ve learned to fight, to scrap, to never back down.
This season, the Indiana Fever aren’t just playing for themselves—they’re playing for every young girl who dreams of making it big, for every fan who’s ever believed in women’s basketball, for every player who’s ever been told they’re not tough enough. They’re playing to prove that greatness isn’t just about talent—it’s about heart, about resilience, about standing up when others try to knock you down.
The league has never seen anything like this. The Fever are coming fast, and they’re coming hard. The bullies who thought they could get away with cheap shots are in for a rude awakening. The days of Caitlin Clark being an easy target are over. The Indiana Fever are here to dominate, to inspire, to change the game forever.