Caitlin Clark took a hit to her quad in the second quarter of the Indiana Fever-Golden State Valkyries game on Wednesday. Kiah Stokes did not get called for a foul, which got the star guard furious. She emphasized after the matchup that it was an obvious call that referees shouldn't have missed. Stephanie White also addressed the incident during her postgame presser.
The Fever head coach shared with media members what the game officials told her. However, she did not expound on it or offer her thoughts on whether the Valkyries center should've been called a foul.
"They said Caitlin initiated the contact," White stated. "That's all they said. ... She seems to always be initiating the contact."
Critics have targeted White in the past for not defending her players enough, particularly Clark. While she has called out referees and the league in the past, she has mostly offered limited comments on controversial or game-changing plays. The three-time All-Star revealed that she played the remainder of the contest with a contusion.
Indiana saw its two-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday, losing 88-75. Clark finished with 13 points, three rebounds and six assists but struggled from the field, shooting 4-for-14. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 20 points, while Aliyah Boston added 15 points and seven rebounds. Golden State, on the other hand, was led by Gabby Williams' 16 points and Kaitlyn Chen's 14.
The Fever will play their next game on Friday, hosting the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It's the first of a back-to-back set, and Clark's status for that one will be worth monitoring as she continues to work her way back from a back injury.
