Former NBA doctor warns of dire consequences for Caitlin Clark if hard contact issues continue

Former Philadelphia 76ers orthopedic consultant Nicholas DiNubile revealed the potential physical risks Caitlin Clark faces if the current physical treatment of her by opposing players continues.

Former Philadelphia 76ers orthopedic consultant Dr. Nicholas DiNubile sent a stark warning to the WNBA about the fate of superstar Caitlin Clark.

Clark is currently out with a back injury, and concerns about her physical wellbeing have surged into a national controversy over the last week after she was punched in the throat by an opposing player in her last game, and referees didn't call a foul.

Clark has faced a history of controversial contact since coming into the league in 2024.

CAITLIN CLARK HARD CONTACT TIMELINE: WNBA'S GROWING HISTORY OF BRUTAL HITS AGAINST THE FACE OF THE SPORT

Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark sits on the bench after an apparent injury during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

DiNubile admits he is troubled by what he has seen.

"The type of contact and the amount of contact that she gets is concerning to me. It’s troubling to me," DiNubile told Fox News Digital, addressing the risks of the recent punch against Clark's throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.

"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," he said. "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