"Can't handle defensive pressure" - Caitlin Clark critics go off at Fever star for shoving Julie Vanloo

Things got chippy for Indiana Fever rookie star Caitlin Clark against the Washington Mystics on Wednesday. Critics called her out for being out of line in a minor altercation in the second quarter with Washington guard Julie Vanloo.

The All-Star, when confronted with pressure on the perimeter from Vanloo, pushed off several times to send Vanloo stumbling backward into the paint. Then, Vanloo was face-guarding Clark off an inbound play but got too close for Clark's comfort.

Users on X/Twitter pointed out what they call the rookie guard's inability to handle strong defensive play.

"She can't handle defense pressure," @laylayx00 wrote.

"CC loves to flop," another user tweeted.

Others wrote that the scuffle demonstrated a poor attitude from the rookie guard. One user suggested her antics are constantly covered up to make her look better.

"She has always had a poor temper but the media doesn't acknowledge it to preserve this view of her," @AlisaCutiepie posted. "She literally pushed this lady three times."

"She has the worst entitled attitude," another critic wrote.

"There goes Caitlin's real self, bout time she showed up. We been telling y’all this is how she is," another wrote.

Some fans came to her defense, however, mentioning her not backing down from the fierce competition she faces each game. One fan pointed out how minor the infraction was and how it makes them question critics' standards.

"She’s finally standing up for herself..let’s go!!!" one fan wrote.

"Tamest shove this season and now Caitlin is “classless and a thug”? Lmao. The double standards are ridiculous and the bar is on the floor," another fan wrote.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever upset by Washington Mystics

Clark put on another show Wednesday despite the 89-84 loss, putting up 29 points and 13 assists with five 3-pointers while almost pulling off an incredible fourth quarter comeback.

The Fever (9-14) struggled to control the ball, committing 21 turnovers. They surged in the final frame, outscoring the Mystics 29-14 but couldn't fully dig themselves out of the hole. They outshot Washington (6-17) but failed to contain a dynamic offense that spread the ball around for 23 assists.

Mystics guard Ariel Atkins led the way with 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting. She nailed a tough fadeaway bucket in the final minute to stretch the lead to five and hold off the Fever comeback.