Caitlin Clark is in a bit of trouble. Indiana Fever defeated the Seattle Storm 92-75 on Sunday to record their second win since the Olympic break. The Fever‘s victory in the last game of their four-game series against the Storm prevented them from winning the entire season, which made the victory very noteworthy.
The game’s most memorable moment was Caitlin Clark’s historic accomplishment. Clark surpassed the previous mark established by Sacramento Monarchs icon Ticha Penicheiro to establish a new rookie record for assists. Her record-breaking evening wasn’t without controversy, either.
With 7:14 left in the third quarter, Clark was called for a technical foul in an argumentative situation. She slapped the basketball hoop’s padding in irritation after missing a shot, which prompted the referee to call a technical foul. The call generated discussion since many people saw it as more of a personal outburst than a case of unsportsmanlike behavior.
In her post-game remarks, Clark discussed the situation and disclosed that the referee saw her actions as demeaning to the game.
Caitlin Clark reveals details about the technical foul
She likened the circumstance to a technical foul she was assessed for using a few expletives out of exasperation during her time in college. Clark said that even with the punishment, it made her play even more intensely.
Clark clarified:
“The ref told me it was disrespectful to the game of basketball,” . “I think he fired me up to continue to play a lot harder. I thought we got a lot better after he did that, so I want to thank him for that,”
With her fifth technical foul of the year on Sunday, Clark is just two games away from a one-game suspension as per WNBA regulations.
CC says the ref told her it was “disrespectful to the game of basketball” after she got a tech for hitting the hoop base, mad at herself for missing a 3.
Compared it to when she got one for saying “damn it” in college.
Adds: “I think he fired me up to play a lot harder.” pic.twitter.com/qTCRDSgVdi
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) August 18, 2024
A player who receives seven technical fouls is subject to a one-game suspension, under league rules. There are more suspensions for every technical foul beyond the seventh (9th, 11th, 13th, etc.). Due to her technical fouls this season, Clark has not only run the prospect of being suspended but also paid $1,400 in fines.
With six technical fouls, Clark currently trails only Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi and Natasha Cloud as the league leaders in this area. During their Friday night matchup against the Fever, Taurasi and Cloud each received their sixth technical foul.
Clark will have to exercise caution in controlling her emotions on the court as the season goes on to prevent additional sanctions that would affect her availability for important games.
