The game itself was a thriller, with both teams showcasing exceptional skill and determination. However, the post-game excitement took a concerning turn as fans rushed onto the court. Amidst the fanfare, a fan collided with Clark, leading to her needing assistance to leave the court.

Clark later commented on the atmosphere at the Schottenstein Center, acknowledging the excitement of the game.

“Kind of scary… It knocked the wind out of me, but thankfully, my teammates picked me up and got me off the court. And their AD (athletic director) already came and apologized to me. You know, it comes with the territory. I’m sure they tried their best to do whatever they could, but obviously it didn’t work, and that’s disappointing. Just focus now on the game and ways we can get better,” Clark said in a video shared on X by Kellyanne Stitts.

This incident raises questions about the safety protocols during celebrations. Some replies to the video on X questioned if court-storming would be banned if Clark turned out to be seriously injured. While court-storming is a long-standing tradition in sports, it has the potential to lead to situations where the safety of players and staff can be compromised.

The incident with Caitlin Clark highlights concerns raised by Purdue men’s basketball coach Matt Painter. Just 10 days earlier, after a court-storming in Lincoln following Nebraska’s upset over his boilermakers, Painter addressed the potential dangers of such celebrations.

“We gotta do something about the court storms, guys,” Painter said, via Matt Galatzan of Sports Illustrated. “I just don’t know why institutions aren’t ready for it. Like, what did you think was going to happen if they won? Spread the word. Spread the word before somebody gets hurt.”