Basketball in the 1980s and 90s was a whole different game—if you’ve ever watched the infamous “Bad Boys” Pistons take on Michael Jordan, you know exactly what that means. The bruising defense, with Bill Laimbeer and Vinnie Johnson throwing hard fouls at Jordan, turned basketball into a physical warzone. Fortunately, in today’s NBA, moves like those would get you ejected, and if your name is Draymond Green, you might face an indefinite suspension.

That said, it seems like some WNBA players are trying to resurrect Detroit’s glory days when they face Caitlin Clark. Clark, a breakout star in her rookie year, has faced alarming physicality, especially during the Fever’s first-round playoff series against the Connecticut Sun.

In one such incident, Clark attempted a pass, only to be hit in the face by DiJonai Carrington. While no foul was initially called, replays showed Carrington swiping down and catching Clark directly in the eye. Clark hit the ground in visible pain, yet there was no whistle. Fans were left stunned as the WNBA’s rising star continued to endure hit after hit, echoing the aggressive era of basketball from decades ago.

While some might say this is the nature of the game, many are concerned by the increasing physicality directed at Clark. It wasn’t just Carrington. Angel Reese, another WNBA star, was seen celebrating after a rough body-check incident involving Clark during a June matchup. When questioned, Reese defended her actions, even embracing a villain role, claiming she stands by her teammates no matter what.

As the hits pile up, fans and analysts alike are asking: Is Caitlin Clark being unfairly targeted, and are WNBA officials turning a blind eye? It certainly seems that the aggression shown toward her goes beyond tough defense, stirring echoes of the rugged days of old-school basketball.