The surge of new talent in the WNBA has brought more than just fresh faces to the league. With rookie stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink leading the way, fan interest has skyrocketed, giving the league a spotlight unlike anything it’s seen before. Clark, who shattered college basketball scoring records, has become the center of attention as she attempts to elevate theIndiana Fever back to the WNBA’s elite, where they haven’t been since winning the 2012 title.

Clark’s immediate impact is undeniable, and her presence on the court has drawn comparisons to two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces. But with this attention, particularly around highly anticipated matchups, comes a new layer of scrutiny surrounding the physicality in the game. The line between competitive intensity and overly aggressive play is now a hot topic among both fans and analysts.

One incident brought this debate to the forefront. During a heated game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever, Sky guard Chennedy Carter delivered a hard shoulder-check to Clark, sending the rookie to the floor. Initially called a common foul, the ruling was later upgraded to a flagrant foul 1 due to the unnecessary nature of the contact. This incident raised eyebrows and reignited discussions on the WNBA’s foul system, especially for new fans.

So, how do fouls work in the WNBA? And how many fouls lead to disqualification? According to the WNBA rulebook, a player is allowed five personal fouls in a game. On the sixth personal foul, the player is automatically disqualified, or in more common terms, they “foul out.”Personal fouls, which occur throughout a game, are assessed for physical contact that hinders an opponent’s progress.