Caitlin Clark confronted a referee and used profanity after a disputed no-call during the Indiana Fever’s 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, according to game footage.
On the possession before the exchange, Clark drove to the basket and appeared to be shoved by Golden State veteran Kiah Stokes while attempting a layup; no foul was called on the play, according to the footage. With 4:20 remaining in the second quarter, officials whistled a foul on an Indiana teammate, prompting Clark to turn toward a referee and argue, according to the video.
Clark was not assessed a technical foul on the play, and she left the floor for the remainder of the first half after appearing to limp during the second quarter before returning to the bench prior to halftime, according to game video. Clark had acknowledged before the game that she would be on a minutes restriction as she works back from injury, she said at a pregame media session.
Clark scored 13 points with six assists and three rebounds in 26 minutes, per the box score. She was 1-for-8 from 3-point range and the Fever tied a season low with 75 points in the loss, which dropped Indiana to 14-10, according to the box score.
During the pregame media session, Clark addressed the scrutiny she receives, saying, “There’s gonna be people that love you, there’s gonna be people that hate you. It probably means you’re doing something right.” Some users on X criticized her performance and demeanor, with one user writing, “Caitlin Clark should’ve stayed in the locker room. I’m so tired of her,” and another writing, “Watching Caitlin Clark play is like watching a toddler have a tantrum.”
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
