NBA commissioner Adam Silver commented on Caitlin Clark's physical play during her WNBA debut with the Indiana Fever.
"It's nothing new in basketball, that there are welcome to the league moments," Silver told reporters on Thursday.
"Especially for the heralded rookies. But, of course, I want Caitlin to be treated fairly and appropriately within the league. She appears to be self-sufficient; she is a tough player."
Clark faced an early setback when Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter fouled him during a Fever victory, which was later upgraded to a flagrant foul.
After Indiana's win over Chicago, Fever head coach Christie Sides called the officiating surrounding Clark "unacceptable" on social media.
"This league is awesome, and it's a physical league," Sides later told ESPN's Alexa Philippou. "That was a non-basketball play that needed to be called in that moment."
"It is what it is," she told Philippou. "I feel like I'm just at the point where you accept it and don't retaliate."
While Clark has struggled with long-range efficiency, the former Iowa standout has put on several impressive performances in her brief WNBA career. In 11 games, she's averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.