Dr. Nicholas DiNubile, who previously served as a team physician for the Philadelphia 76ers, has issued a strong cautionary statement to the WNBA concerning the physical safety of prominent player Caitlin Clark. Clark is currently sidelined with a back injury, and a recent incident where she was struck in the throat by an opposing player without a foul being called has intensified national discussion about her treatment on the court.
Since joining the league in 2024, Clark has been involved in several controversial contact situations.
Dr. DiNubile conveyed his deep unease about the physical encounters he has observed.
You can crush someone’s larynx with very little pressure. Ten to 20 pounds of pressure can damage the throat or larynx area. Even if you don’t fracture the larynx, a blow to that area, you could get some swelling or bleeding and close the airway and get into a very rapid life-or-death situation. I wouldn’t want to be the team doctor having to deal with that. That’s what keeps us up at night, those kind of things that you have to respond to on the court... you can’t go for the throat.
Beyond Throat Injuries: Head and Face Impacts
The physician also cautioned about other significant risks stemming from similar types of contact Clark has experienced in professional play.
She gets a lot to her face. She gets poked in the eye. She gets hit in the face. And they also, with her three-point shooting... there's a lot of where they get in her space and her landing space. You see that way too often and that's very, very dangerous.
He further elaborated on the broader dangers of such impacts, stating:
Just getting hit on the head and hit across the head, you know, head injuries, concussions, any variety of things like that. Then you fall to the floor and anything can happen when you fall to the floor. So, um, just not good and not necessary. I don't think it's necessary.
The recent throat strike is one of several contentious moments that have prompted fans to voice concerns about Clark's safety and how other players treat her.
Clark's Vulnerability and Call for Enhanced Officiating
Dr. DiNubile believes that Clark is largely defenseless against the aggressive play she encounters.
When asked if Clark could do anything to prevent injuries from hard contact, he responded,
I don't think there's anything she can do. It's hard to protect yourself with those type of... And that's why they're flagrant fouls, right? You just... There, there's no way to really protect yourself in those instances... she takes it in stride. I don't think she brings any of it on herself.
In Dr. DiNubile's assessment, the league and its referees must proactively improve their protection of Clark to avert severe incidents.
I think they should be calling things. They can officiate better... I mean, how do they miss this?
League and Team Responses to Player Safety Concerns
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert released a statement this week, defending Alyssa Thomas from what was perceived as verbal retaliation following the throat contact incident involving Clark. However, the WNBA did not issue a statement specifically in support of Clark after she was struck in the throat.
Engelbert's statement read:
The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league's top priority. We are aware of Alyssa Thomas' comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.
Stephenie White, Clark's own coach for the Indiana Fever, also voiced support for Thomas.
During a practice on Wednesday, White told reporters:
I think as a league, as a whole, there's been so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia, straight-out nonsense... it is absolutely unacceptable. If you are one of these people that are online doing this, do not call yourself a WNBA fan.