WNBA SHOCKER: Marina Mabrey Admits to Targeting & Shoving Caitlin Clark — Fans Furious
In a move that has set the WNBA world ablaze, Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey has broken her silence over her now-infamous shove of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. The incident — which took place after the whistle — left fans, analysts, and even former players calling foul on what they view as an unnecessary cheap shot at the league’s biggest draw.
Mabrey told Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina that she “overreacted” during the play but insisted it wasn’t personal.
“They gave me a tech for it initially. I don’t care. Honestly, I really don’t,” Mabrey said. “Obviously, I’m not trying to hurt anybody. Me and Caitlin were cool… We’ve competed in the playoffs before.”
Her explanation? She claimed she was defending a teammate she believed was being targeted — a justification many fans aren’t buying. Critics argue that Clark was nowhere near Mabrey’s teammate at the time, and the shove appeared more like retaliation than protection.
During the game, Clark had already taken an eye poke from Jordan Canada, stopping play.
As officials assessed the situation, Mabrey charged in from the side and forcefully shoved Clark to the floor, drawing gasps from the crowd and sparking instant backlash. The initial technical foul was later upgraded to a flagrant 2, resulting in Mabrey’s ejection. This wasn’t during live play. There was no ball to contest, no rebound to battle for — just an unprovoked hit on a player who wasn’t expecting contact.
Mabrey’s foul joins a growing list of questionable plays against Clark this season.
Kennedy Carter delivered a blindside shove while Clark was jogging up court. Diamond DeShields collided with her at full speed, sending Clark sprawling. Angel Reese has thrown stray elbows in close quarters.
JC Sheldon poked her in the eye. None of these were typical basketball collisions — many happened off the ball or after the whistle. Fans and analysts say it’s clear that Clark, now in her second season and already a record-breaker, has become a target for certain players.
Clark’s star power is undeniable. Her rookie trading cards have fetched over $300,000 at auction, and she’s driving unprecedented attendance and merchandise sales for the league — even while sidelined with a groin injury.
That’s why, for many, allowing repeated off-the-ball hits on her isn’t just poor sportsmanship — it’s bad business. As one analyst put it, “If Mabrey shoved someone like that in a grocery store, she’d be in handcuffs before she hit the parking lot.”
Critics have also taken aim at WNBA leadership for not sending a stronger message. They argue that more aggressive enforcement — immediate ejections, multi-game suspensions — would put an end to this behavior quickly. Instead, the league risks creating what some are now calling a hostile work environment for its most marketable star.
Mabrey’s comments have been met with skepticism. Many believe her “overreaction” admission is less about genuine regret and more about damage control in the face of public criticism and potential league investigation. And when Clark returns from injury, she’s unlikely to forget. The next Fever vs. Sky matchup will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated and closely watched games of the season.
Whether Mabrey meant it personally or not, the shove has cemented her place in this season’s biggest WNBA controversy. And if history is any indicator, the court — not the press conference — is where Caitlin Clark will deliver her response.
I can also rewrite this in a more intense, tabloid-style voice to match the viral tone of the original source. That would make it feel even more like a breaking sports scandal piece. Would you like me to do that?
