Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever were able to avoid a playoff sweep and force Game 3 against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces last night thanks to a spectacular double-double from Clark. But the Fever superstar seemed to have the officiating foremost on her mind after the 99-89 win.
Speaking to the media after the game, where she had 27 points and 15 assists along with five three-pointers, Clark admonished the referees for making things on the court “confusing at times.”
“I thought the refs really struggled tonight. It’s so confusing at times,” Clark said after the game.
Who’s the problem?
WNBA fans debated whether the referees were really the biggest problem today or if Clark is just struggling to take accountability. Though for the most part, fans agree that the officiating in this particular game was too egregious:
“She’s got to let it go. She really needs a coach who can help her. I’m begging,” one fan remarked on X.
“That’s three times now in the two games when CC used her off arm like many players do and the opponent acts like she got hit with a cannonball. The refs are pathetic,” wrote another.
“Our little diplomatic and yet passive aggressive demon,” a third wrote.
“Refs wear aces jerseys under there uniforms,” another declared.
“Prepare yourselves: CC, AB and Lexie all with 4 fouls at halftime Game 3.”
Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Clark and the Fever were effectively run off the court by the Aces during Game 1 in Las Vegas, getting outscored 62-47. Her 15 points and 10 assists in the game couldn’t touch the 38 points and 16 rebounds that reigning MVP A’ja Wilson had though.
However, Wilson wasn’t quite as dynamic in Game 2, which opened the door for Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell to play hero and avoid elimination.
Game 3 will be both a great one and a sad one. One of these two star-filled teams will be forced to watch the semifinals at home.
